IMAGE  EVALUATION 
TEST  TARGET  (MT-3) 


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=y= 

.25 


UIM    12.5 

£    U£    112.0 


12.2 


1.4 


V] 


Vj 


7: 


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Photographic 

Sciences 
Corporation 


4v 


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33  WEST  MAIN  STREET 

WEBSTER,  N.Y.  14580 

(716)  872-4503 


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CIHM/ICMH 

Microfiche 

Series. 


CIHM/ICMH 
Collection  de 
microfiches. 


Canadian  Institute  for  Historical  Microreproductions  /  Institut  Canadian  de  microreproductions  historiques 


T«chnical  and  Bibliographic  Notat/Notat  tachniquaa  at  bibliographiquaa 


Tha 
to  til 


Tha  Inatituta  haa  attamptad  to  obtain  tha  bait 
original  copy  avaliabia  for  filming.  Faat^raa  of  thia 
copy  which  may  ba  bibliographlcally  un'qua, 
which  may  altar  any  of  tha  imagaa  in  tha 
raproductlon.  or  which  may  aignlflcantiy  changa 
tha  uaual  mathod  of  filming,  ara  chackad  balow. 


□   Colourad  covara/ 
Couvartura  da  coulaur 


[~~|   Covara  damagad/ 


n 


a 


Couvartura  andommagia 

Covara  raatorad  and/or  laminatad/ 
Couvartura  raatauria  at/ou  poiiicutAa 

Covar  titia  miaaing/ 

La  titra  da  couvartura  mcnqua 

Colourad  mapa/ 

Cartaa  gAographiquaa  an  coulaur 

Colourad  ink  (i.a.  othar  than  blua  or  black)/ 
Encra  da  coulaur  (i.a.  autra  qua  blaua  ou  noira) 


I     I   Colourad  piataa  and/or  illuatrationa/ 


D 


Planchaa  at/ou  illuatrationa  an  coulaur 


Bound  with  othar  matarial/ 
Rail*  avac  d'autraa  documanta 


Tight  binding  may  cauaa  ahadowa  or  distortion 
along  intarior  margin/ 

La  raliura  sarrAa  paut  causar  da  I'ombra  ou  da  la 
diatortion  la  long  da  la  marga  intiriaura 

Blank  laavas  addad  during  rastoration  may 
appaar  within  tha  taxt.  Whanavar  posaibia,  thasa 
hava  baan  omittad  from  filming/ 
II  aa  paut  qua  cartainas  pagas  bianchas  aJoutAas 
lors  d'una  rastauration  apparaissant  dans  la  taxta, 
mais,  lorsqua  cala  Atait  possibia,  cas  pagaa  n'ont 
pas  «t«  film«as. 

Additional  commants:/ 
Commanti^lrss  supplAmantairas; 


L'Inatitut  a  mierofilmi  la  maillaur  axamplaira 
qu'il  lui  a  AtA  poaaibia  da  aa  procurar.  Laa  dAtails 
da  cat  axamplaira  qui  aont  paut-Atra  uniquaa  du 
point  da  vua  bibliographiqua,  qui  pauvant  modifiar 
una  imaga  raproduita.  ou  qui  pauvant  axigar  una 
modification  dana  la  mithoda  normala  da  filmaga 
aont  indiquAa  ci-daaaoua. 


D 
D 
0 
0 
D 
0 
0 
0 
0 
0 


Colourad  pagaa/ 
Pagaa  da  coulaur 

Pagaa  damagad/ 
Pagaa  andommagtes 

Pagaa  raatorad  and/or  laminatad/ 
Pagaa  rastaurtea  at/ou  paliiculAaa 

Pagaa  diacolourad,  atainad  or  foxad/ 
Pagaa  dAcoloriaa,  tachatias  ou  piqutes 

Pagas  datachad/ 
Pagas  d6tachAas 

Showthrough/ 
Tranaparanca 

Quality  of  print  variaa/ 
Quaiit*  inigaia  da  I'lmpraasion 

Inciudaa  aupplamantary  matarial/ 
Comprand  du  material  auppMmantaira 

Only  adition  avaliabia/ 
Saula  idition  diaponibia 

Pagas  wholly  or  partially  obscurad  by  arrata 
alips.  tissuas.  ate,  hava  baan  rafilmad  to 
ansura  tha  bast  possibia  imaga/ 
Las  pagas  totalamant  ou  partiallamant 
obscurciaa  par  un  fauillat  d'arrata.  una  palura. 
ate,  ont  M  filmAas  A  nouvaau  da  fagon  A 
obtanir  la  maillaura  imaga  possibia. 


Tha 
posi 

of  tr 

filmi 


Origj 
bagi 
thai 
sion, 
othe 
first 
sion, 
or  ill 


Tha 
shall 
TINL 
whic 

Mapi 
diffe 
entir 
bagii 
right 
requi 
metii 


This  itam  is  filmad  at  tha  raduction  ratio  chackad  balow/ 

Ca  documant  ast  filmA  au  taux  da  reduction  indiqu*  ci-dassous. 

10X  14X  18X  22X 


2ex 


30X 


■4 


12X 


1SX 


20X 


24X 


28X 


32X 


Ira 

dAtaiit 
M  du 
modifier 
•r  una 
filmag* 


kes 


Tlia  copy  fiimad  hara  has  baan  raproducad  thanica 
to  tlia  ganaroaity  of: 

Library  of  tha  Public 
Archivas  of  Canada 


Tha  imagas  appearing  liara  ara  tha  baat  quality 
possibia  conaidaring  tha  condition  and  lagibliity 
of  tha  original  copy  and  in  Icaaping  with  tha 
filming  contract  spaciflcatlons. 


Original  copiaa  in  printed  paper  covera  ara  fiimad 
beginning  with  the  front  cover  and  ending  on 
the  last  page  with  a  printed  or  illustrated  impres- 
sion, or  the  bacit  cover  when  appropriate.  Ail 
other  original  copies  ara  fiimad  beginning  on  the 
first  page  with  a  printed  or  illustrated  impres- 
sion, and  ending  on  the  last  page  with  a  printed 
or  illustrated  impreasion. 


The  last  recorded  frame  on  each  microfiche 
shall  contain  the  symbol  —^-(meaning  "CON- 
TINUED"), or  the  symbol  V  (meaning  "END"), 
whichever  applies. 


L'exemplaira  fiimi  fut  reproduit  grAce  A  la 
gAnArositA  da: 

La  ^ibliothAque  des  Archives 
publiques  du  Canada 

Las  images  suivantes  ont  6t4  raprodultes  avac  ie 
plus  grand  soin,  compta  tenu  de  la  condition  at 
da  la  nettetA  de  l'exemplaira  film6.  at  en 
conformity  avac  las  conditions  du  contrat  de 
filmage. 

Lee  exemplairas  originaux  dont  la  couverture  en 
papier  est  ImprimAe  sont  filmAs  en  commen^ant 
par  la  premier  plat  at  en  terminant  soit  par  ia 
darnlAre  page  qui  comporte  uri»  empreinte 
d'Impression  ou  d'illustration.  soit  par  la  second 
plat,  salon  la  cas.  Tous  las  autres  exemplaires 
originaux  eont  filmAs  en  commenpant  par  la 
premiAre  page  qui  comporte  une  empreinte 
d'Impression  ou  d'illustration  at  en  terminant  par 
ia  darniAre  page  qui  comporte  une  telle 
empreinte. 

Un  des  symboies  suivants  apparaltra  sur  ia 
derniire  image  de  cheque  microfiche,  selon  ia 
caa:  la  symbols  — ^  signifie  "A  SUIVRE '.  Ie 
symbols  y  signifie  "FIN". 


Maps,  plates,  charts,  etc.,  may  be  filmed  ta 
different  reduction  ratios.  Those  too  large  to  be 
entirely  included  in  one  exposure  are  filmed 
beginning  in  the  upper  left  hand  corner,  left  to 
right  and  top  to  bottom,  as  many  frames  as 
required.  The  following  diagrams  illustrate  the    ' 
method: 


Los  cartes,  planches,  tableaux,  mc.  p«uvent  §tre 
filmAs  d  des  taux  de  reduction  diff Arents. 
Lorsque  ie  document  est  trop  grand  pour  Atre 
reproduit  en  un  seul  clichA.  ii  est  filmA  A  part!r 
da  Tangle  supArieur  gauche,  de  gauche  A  droite, 
et  de  haut  an  bas,  en  prenant  ie  nombre 
d'images  nAcessaire.  Las  diagrammas  suivants 
illustrent  la  mAthoda. 


errata 
J  to 


a  pelure, 
!on  A 


n 

32X 


i     i 

» 

,      3 

i            1 

> 

i      t 

'      4 

• 

• 

SHEA'S    CHARLEVOIX. 


I 


nsrOTIGE!. 


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r;i|'i'llv  i;.ll.,uc,l   lip. 

•\->     111"   -lll.-i.Til.li,,,,     list     l,-,s     ,Ml    Vrl     r, 


^ll'li''ii  lit     I..  IH-^I    |1„.  ;,r(i|i,l  ,■■, 


'■■"■\V:\     i.     |,  ,|„t 
I     "I'   l.i:ilinl';ictiin,|_..    III,. 

Nhv  I.  in;©  ■'""'^  '•'    -111^ 


.!••    -.iiA  MV'J.Ai  N 


»- 


»     <1 


HISTORY 


/iND 


GENERAL  DESCRIPTIOJ^- 


OP 


NEW   FRANCE. 


BT 


THE  EEV.  P.  F.  X.  DE  CHARLEVOIX,  S.J. 
TRANSLATE,  WITH  NOTES,  IIV  .lOHN  C,UM\WY  SHEA. 

IN    SIX    VOLUMES. 
VOL.  II. 


NEW   YORK: 
JOHN    GILMARY    SHEA, 

1866. 


Entered  tecordinf  to  Act  of  OonroM,  In  the  yew  im. 
By  JOHN  OILMAUY  8IIE,\ 
la  tho  a.rk'.  Omo.  or  U..  ULinct  Court  of  llu.  UnltoU  8ut,.  f„,  tho  Southern 
DlitrlctofNew  York. 

PhBP 


PREFACE. 


(1 


In  presenting  the  scconJ  volume  of  this  liistory  no  remark  neenis 
necessary;  yet  to  avoid  a  misconcoption  on  tlie  part  of  gome,  it  may 
be  well  to  stato  explicitly  timt  the  not*"  in  thin  eililion,  embracing 
all  citations  of  authorities,  arc  the  work  of  tho  translator,  exceptinff  only 
the  few  occasional  notes  to  which  the  name  of  Charlevoix  is  added  in 
italics.  Tt,  may  also  be  added,  as  a  guide  to  tho  reader,  that  tho  orthog- 
raphy of  proper  names  in  tho  text  is  that  given  by  Charlevoix.  In  tho 
notes  it  is  given  as  found  in  tho  autograph  of  the  individual. 

I  am  indebted  to  Dr.  John  Torrey  for  valuable  assistance  in  ideiiti- 
fying  some  of  the  plants  described  by  tho  author,  and  to  Mr.  Park- 
man  and  his  jjublishers,  and  to  the  Sulpiiians  of  Paris  for  the  use  of 
the  portraits  of  Menendez  and  Olier  presented  in  this  and  tho  i)reviou8 
volume. 

The  new  edition  of  Chaniplain's  Voyages,  edited  by  tho  Abb6  Laver- 
diere,  who  kindly  put  his  proof  sheets  at  ray  sorvico,  has  boon  of  great 
assistance;  and  I  owe  to  him  also  an  account  of  his  discovery  of  Cham- 
plain's  tomb. 

J.  G.  8. 


n 


CONTENTS. 


BOOK    IV. 

State  of  Qaeb4<c  in  1010.  Mr.  de  riiam])1ain  Joins  his  alliM  In  an  expedition  af^alnat 
tlio  IriKiuoiH.  The  scttltinient  of  till' Dutch  in  Nt'v  Netlmrland.  tVmtiniiaiion  of 
Mr.  d«  Cliamplaln'a  ox|)<'(lltion.  Indian  want  of  precaution  in  wo r.  lni|iiinturt« 
of  medirinc-mt'n.  Uotli'ctlon  on  this  |K)lnt.  IHscovcry  of  a  Iiiku  to  wliii'h  Mr.  do 
Champlain  glvcH  IiIh  name.  Lake  of  tho  Uli>fl(iiHl  Sacrnnifiit.  The  anil's  und  the 
IrixpioiN  nKKtt  nod  rccognlr-f  each  other.  They  en^aKO.  Victory  of  llie  allien,  and 
Mr.  de  ('hainplain'H  share  therein,  ('raelties  of  the  vIctorH.  lirreption  of  the 
Montngnez  in  their  viilaKO  aft-  their  victory.  Mr.  de  ('hnni]<laln  retumii  to 
France.  Name  of  New  France  (jfiven  to  Canada.  Second  ex|H'dition  of  Mr.  do 
Champlain  and  IiIh  anil's  a^ningt  the  Iroquois.  Vigorous  defence  an<l  defeat  of  the 
latter.  The  Count  do  SolDSons  puts  himsi'lf  at  the  head  of  Ciinndian  afTuirfi.  Ills 
death.  Tho  Princo  succeods  him,  and  assumes  the  title  of  viceroy  of  New  France, 
The  llecollect  Fathers  arrive  at  liuobec  Champlaln's  third  expoditinn  against 
the  Iroquois.  How  to  act  with  Indians.  Attack  on  tho  InKjuolH  fort.  ClminplaiM 
Is  wounded  and  forced  to  retreat.  He  winters  in  the  Huron  country  against  his 
will.  A  Recollect  Brother  renders  a  great  service  to  the  colony.  New  France  Is 
greotly  neghwtod.  Marshal  de  Montmorency  viceroy  of  New  France.  The  Iro- 
quois undertake  to  destroy  the  French  olony.  The  Canada  Company  is  sup- 
pressed. Quehec  fortified.  The  Duke  do  Ventadour  viceroy  of  New  Franco.  Five 
Jesuits  arrive  in  Canada.  A  Recollect  Father  drowned,  and  his  Huron  companions 
BUHp«-cted  of  causing  Ids  death.  The  Jesuits  meet  great  opposition  In  Canada. 
Wretched  state  of  the  colony.  Company  of  a  Hundred  Associates  for  the  settle- 
ment of  New  Franco ;  its  privileges,  and  what  it  undertakes.  Hostility  of  tho 
EugliHh.  They  demand  tho  surrender  of  Quebec.  Champlaln's  reply.  Tlie  Eng- 
lish cnpturi.  A  French  squadron.  Mr.  de  Champlaln's  emborrussment.  Quelx?o 
again  summoned  by  the  Engli.  )>.  Conditions  on  which  the  place  surrendered. 
Oood  luago.  Most  of  the  Bettlers  remain  in  the  country.  Emery  do  Caen,  coming 
to  the  relief  of  Quebec,  is  captured  by  the  English.  A  French  Calvinlst  projector 
and  guide  of  the  English  expedition.    He  dies  frantic.    Bad  faith  of  the  English 


ii 


CONTENTS. 


I 


admiral.  Somo  adviso  against  doraanding  tho  restitution  of  Canada.  Reply  to 
their  arguments.  Clinniplain's  ojiinion.  Canada  restored  to  France.  In  what 
condiiion.    Why  the  English  neglected  Acadia. 


BOOK    V. 

De  Cliamplnin  appointi-d  govornor-general  of  New  France.  Character  of  the  Hurons. 
The  Company  of  a  Hundred  Associates  will  not  permit  the  return  of  tho  Hecollccts 
to  Canada  The  I'onduct  of  the  Kiiglish  had  made  the  Indians  regret  the  F"rench. 
Several  Jesuits  arrive  at  Quehec.  Success  of  their  first  labors.  Protestants 
excluded  from  New  France.  Judicious  choice  of  tho  first  colonists.  Character  of 
the  first  miswionaries.  Settlement  in  tho  Huron  country  projected.  Do  Ciiamplain 
wihhes  to  oblige  tho  IncMans  to  take  misisionaries  with  them.  They  refuse.  Why  'i 
Good  and  bad  qualities  of  the  Ilurons.  Origin  of  the  tribe.  Extent  and  nature  of 
their  country.  Why  do  Chnmplnin  wished  to  plant  a  settlement  there  and  tho 
missionaries  to  make  it  a  c("ntral  point.  Two  Jesuits  procer  1  thither.  A  third 
follows.  Hardships  of  tlie  journey.  First  permanent  Huron  mission.  Difficulties 
'n  converting  these  Indians.  'I'heir  conduct  towards  tho  missionaries.  Efforts  of 
the  medicine-men  to  previ  nt  tie  progress  of  the  faith.  Other  difficulties.  Won- 
ders wrought,  and  their  effect.  Conduct  of  the  missionaries.  What  passed  at  a 
council.  New  persecution,  apjjeascd  at  first.  The  Word  of  God  begins  to  bear 
fruit  among  the  Hurons.  Why  the  baptism  of  some  chiefs  is  deferred.  Why  tho 
tribe  becomes  more  docile.  Character  of  other  Indian  nations.  Progress  of  reli- 
gion. Collegi  of  Qui'bec  founded.  First  effects.  Death  of  Mr.  do  Champlain. 
His  cliiracter  and  eulogy.  The  Chevalier  de  Montmagni  succeeds  him.  Seminary 
for  Indian  boys  projectiHl.  Number  of  ndssionaries  among  tho  Hurons.  The 
colony  languishes  through  the  fault  of  tho  Company  of  a  Hundred  Associates. 
The  Iroquois  deceive  the  Hurons  by  a  jirctended  peace.  War  renewed.  Various 
missionary  expeditions.  Tho  Iroquois  insult  Three  Rivers.  Epidemic  among  the 
Hurons.  Interest  in  Franco  for  tho  conversion  of  tho  Indians.  Foundation  of 
Sillery.  Edifying  conduct  of  the  peojile  of  Quebec.  Establishn.ent  of  the  Hos- 
pital and  Urjuline  ntnis.  Their  reception.  Their  fervor.  Courage  of  Madame  de 
la  Peltrie,  fi  mdress  of  the  Ursulines.  First  lalxirs  of  the  nuns.  The  colony  still 
neglected  by  the  Company  of  New  France.  The  war  between  the  Hrrons  and 
Iroquois  continued.  The  firet  Iroquois  Christian.  Position  of  the  Huron  mission. 
Singular  adventure  of  Father  Jerome  Lallomant.  Sufferings  of  the  missionurie& ; 
their  occupatirms  ;  manner  of  ins;ructing.  Reflections  on  the  conversion  of 
Indians.  State  of  the  missions  at  I'liree  Rivers,  Tudous.wc,  and  around  the  Gulf. 
Tho  pretended  worship  of  tho  cross  :iinong  the  Qaspe  Indians.  Noble  conduct  of 
the  Hurons.  Their  reward.  Defeat  of  an  Iroquois  party.  Many  Iroquois  prison- 
ers baptized  at  death.  Scheme  of  the  Iroquois  to  draw  the  French  away  from  the 
Hurons.  They  treat  with  tho  former  in  bad  faith.  Embarrassed  position  of  the 
governor-general.  The  settlement  of  Montreal  projecte<l,  Begun.  Tradition  as 
to  the  ancient  inhabitants  of  that  island. 


*^ 


CONTENTS. 


Ill 


BOOK    VT. 


Fort  lUcliclicu.  Numerous  conversions  among  tlio  Ilnrons.  A  famous  Ilurnn  chief. 
Ilia  calling  to  Oiiristiauity.  Ilia  baptism  and  furvor.  UctU'Ction  en  Indian 
harangues.  Missionary  excursion  to  the  Saiilteurs  or  Cliipiiewas.  Tlio  Dutch 
supply  tlio  Iroquois  with  arms  and  ammunition.  Siipinenens  of  the  llurons 
Many  surprised  liy  the  Iroquois.  Several  taken,  and  with  them  Father  Jegues 
and  two  otiier  Frenehmcn,  who  allow  themsidves  to  be  captured.  Their  treat- 
ment. Al)andoned  to  the  fury  of  a  war-party  whom  they  met.  Father  Jogues 
agiiin  refuses  to  escape.  Tiic  prisoners  tortured  in  three  villages  successively. 
Their  piety  and  fervor.  All  spared  but  three  chiefs,  wiio  die  as  Christian  heroes. 
Tiie  Dutch  apply  for  tho  Frencli  j)risouers.  Hcfused.  Martyrdom  of  Hene  Goupii. 
Fatlicr  Jogues  avails  himstdf  of  liis  captivity  to  malie  tho  true  (iod  known  to  the 
Iroquois.  Wonderful  conversion  of  ono  of  these  Indians,  followed  by  several 
others.  The  Neutral  nation  destroyed  by  the  Iroquois.  Fruits  of  grace  in  Una 
nation.  Judgment  of  Ood  on  a  Huron  village.  Noble  conduct  of  a  Huron  Chris- 
tian, and  its  results.  Information  given  to  the  governor  general  by  Father  Jogues. 
Ineffectual  eflbrts  made  for  his  delivery.  Hears  that  his  death  is  fixed  upon.  A 
Dutch  olRcer  ofifurs  to  save  him.  lie  accepts  tlio  ofler.  His  escape.  He  arrives  in 
England,  and  is  stripped  by  robbers.  U'acl:e5  France.  Solicits  permission  from 
tho  Pope  to  say  Mass  witli  his  mutilated  hands.  Tho  Pope's  reply.  The  character 
of  this  missionary.  His  return  to  Canada.  What  lie  learns  there  of  his  mission. 
Fervor  and  sanctity  of  tlie  Hurons.  Jliraculous  conversion  of  an  .\lgonquin  chief. 
Fervor  of  tho  Algonquin  missions.  Calumnies  agi.in.st  the  Jesuits  in  Franco. 
Tho  New  Franco  ComiMiny  justifies  them.  Father  Uressani  exposes  himself  to  a 
great  danger.  Taken  by  the  Iroquoi".  Sufferings  during  his  captivity.  Delivered, 
and  goes  to  France.  Sad  state  of  the  colony.  Tlie  governor-general  endeavors  to 
make  peaco  with  the  Iroquois.  What  occurred  between  him  an.l  some  Hurons. 
The  la*  .er  agree  to  treat.  The  Ircxjuois  seem  favorable.  Public  audience  given 
to  their  deputies,  and  what  occurn-d.  Peace  ratified  by  the  cantons.  Father 
Brcssani  retuniE  to  the  Hurons.  Death  of  Fathers  Enemond  Masse  and  Anne  do 
Nolle.  The  Sokokis  endeavor  to  break  tho  iieace.  Tho  IrrKjuois  ratify  it  again. 
Father  Jogues  visits  tho  Iroquois  twice.  Hostilities  renewed  between  th('  Iroquois 
and  Hurons.  Extent  and  situation  of  the  Iroquois  country.  Origin  of  their  name. 
Peculiarities  of  each  canton.  Fruii-trees.  An'aiuls  and  diamonds.  Tlie  Inxjuois 
attack  a  Huron  village,  Noble  conduct  of  three  Hurons.  Progress  of  religion 
during  the  ijeace.  Father  Jogues,  ;. 'turning  to  the  Iroquois,  is  almndoned  by  hia 
guides.  He  is  received  by  the  Mohawks  as  if  he  h.ad  been  a  prisoner  of  war. 
What  prejudiced  tho  Inillana  against  him.  His  deatli.  His  murderer  io  con- 
verted. The  Mohawks  reuew  ilie  war.  Singular  i\dventure  of  an  Algonquin 
Christian  woman,  and  he.-  escape  from  thi-  hands  of  the  Iroquois.  Who  were  tho 
Abenuquis.  Tliey  ask  and  obtain  a  missionary.  Their  character.  Ileception  of 
Father  Dreuillettes  by  the  Capuchin  Futliers.  The  first  laliors  of  this  missionary. 
Mr.  de  Montma^ui  recalled.    Mr.  d'AiUebout  succcods  him.    Character  of  both. 


CONTENTS. 


BOOK     VTI. 


State  of  the  colony  In  1648.  ^liRmnnagement  of  the  Hurons.  The  Huron  town  of  St. 
Joseph  destroyed  by  tho  Inxjuois.  Heroic  di'atli  o.  the  Jesuit  Father  Anthony 
Daniel.  ProJL..t  of  an  alliance  between  the  Knglish  nnd  Fi'ench  colonies  ia 
America.  Deputation  of  tho  Jesuit  Father  Dreuillottea  and  the  Sieur  Qodefroy, 
councillor  of  tho  (.'')uncil  of  Quebec,  to  Boston.  Apathy  of  the  Hurons.  Two 
Huron  towns  destroyed  by  the  Iroquois.  Fathers  do  Brebeuf  and  Lallemant  taken. 
Various  engagements  between  the  Hurona  and  Iroquois.  Fathers  de  Brebeuf  and 
Lallemant  burnt.  Dispersion  of  the  Ilurons.  Most  retire  to  St.  Joseph's  Isle. 
Their  sufferings  there.  Their  fervor.  Rashness  of  tho  Hurons  of  the  town  of  St. 
John.  A  town  destroyed  by  the  Iro<juoi8.  Heroic  death  of  Father  Gamier,  tho 
pastor.  Death  of  Father  Chabanel.  Hurons  conspire  against  all  the  missionaries 
The  iirmness  of  two  of  these  Fathers  disconcerts  their  plans.  Singular  interposi- 
tions of  Providence  in  favor  of  the  Christians.  New  misfortunes  befall  the  Hurons. 
Sev(!rol  descend  to  Quebec.  Their  reception.  What  became  of  the  rest.  Desti- 
tution of  the  former.  Their  rasiu'.ess.  Untoward  expedition,  in  which  many 
Cliristlans  perish.  Account  of  an  Algonquin  burnt  by  the  Iroquois.  Fervor  of 
the  Christians.  The  use  of  liquors  begins  to  produce  great  disorders  in  some  mis- 
sions. Mr.  de  Lauson  apiwinted  governor-general  of  New  France.  The  governor 
of  Three  Rivers  killed  by  the  Iroquois.  Ravages  of  these  savages  in  the  North. 
Progress  of  the  faith  among  the  Abt'naquis  nations.  Father  Butrux  starts  north- 
ward with  a  presentiment  that  he  will  not  return.  He  is  killed  by  the  Iroquois. 
Several  missionaries  return  to  Europe.  Progress  of  the  colony  of  Montreal.  New 
negotiations  for  peace.  Capture  of  Father  Poncet  by  the  Mohawks.  His  sufferings 
and  delivei.inco.  His  perils  in  returning  to  Quebec.  Peace  concluded.  Father 
lo  Moyno  goes  to  Onondaga  to  ratify  the  treaty.  Fervor  of  the  Huron  captives 
among  the  Iroquois.  Danger  of  Father  1'  Moyne  from  tho  perfidy  of  the  Mohawks. 
Piety  of  the  Hurons  on  Isle  Orieans.  Tho  Mohawks  endeavor  to  break  off  the 
peace.  They  renew  hostilities  and  assassinate  a  Jesuit  lay-brother.  Exiiloit  of  an 
Algonquin  squtw.  The  Moliawks  make  peace  again,  and  a  missionary  is  given  to 
them.  Two  other  missionaries  go  to  Onondaga.  Tuey  settle  there.  Fruit  of  their 
first  labors.  Destruction  of  the  Eriez  nation  by  the  Iroquois.  Project  of  a  F.-ench 
colony  at  Onondaga.  Hostility  of  the  Mohawks.  T!i<'y  carry  off  part  of  the 
Hurons  from  Isle  Orleans.  Adventures  of  tho  Ottav.-as  after  the  destruction  of  the 
Hurons,  Missionaries  are  given  to  seme  of  them.  Thoy  are  attacked  by  tiie 
Mohawks.  Father  Qarreau  mortally  wounded.  Tl.e  French  reach  Onondaga. 
Their  recei)tion.  A  part  of  the  Hurons  on  Isle  Orl.c.'ns  offer  to  give  themselves  to 
the  Mohawks,  and  repent.  Pride  of  the  Mohawks.  Dilemma  of  the  Hurons.  A 
whole  tribe  sirrendors  to  tho  Mohawks.  The  Ononda^as  come  to  Quebec  for  the 
same  purpose.    Reply  made  to  them. 


BOOK    IV. 


n 


^'^y£AV6'A'^  OF JVm?  FJiAIVCE . 


I 

4 


■A 


n 


HISTORY 


GENEllAL   DESCRIPTION 
or 

NEW  FEANOE: 


WHEREIN    WILL    BE    FOCVB 


ALL  THAT  RELATES  TO  THE  DISCOVERIES  AND  CONQUESTS 
OF  THE  FRENCH  IN  NORTH  AMERICA. 


!> 


I 


•;« 


BOOK    IV. 


Afteh  1"io  foundation  of  Quebec,  and  Madarao  de  1609-15. 
Guerehovil  •  3's  refusal  to  unite  witli  Mr.  de  Monts,  the  ^-^ — y— ^ 
latter  had  still  influence  enough  to  form  a  new  company. 
Messrs.  de  Champlain  and  do  Pontgrave  adhered  to  his 
interests  more  strongly  than  ever,  and  embarked  in  IGIO — 
the  latter,  to  continue  tlie  trade  at  Tadoussac ;  the  former, 
to  visit  and  advance  his  settlement  at  Quebec. 

He  fomid  every  thing  there  in  as  good  a  condition  as  he  stnto  of 
could  reasonably  expect.  He  had  caused  barley  and  I'oio!'" 
wheat  to  be  sowed  the  year  before,  and  the  crop  of  both 
grains  had  been  abundant.  He  had  also  planted  vines ; 
but  his  people  pulled  them  up  during  liis  absence,  and  in 
fact  there  was  no  pi-ospcct  of  their  thrivuig.  All  the  set- 
tlers were  in  good  health,  and  seemed  contented.  The 
Indiana  living  in  the  neighborhood  were  the  Algonquins.' 

'  Formerly  called  Algoumekins. — Cha/rlevoix. 


8 


HISTORY  OP  NEW  FRANCE. 


1609.     The  Montagncz  wcro  lower  down  towards  Tadonssac  ;  nnd 

""""v— '  it  was  the  more  easy  fur  tlio  French  to  form  an  alliaueo 

with  these  two  nations,  as,  far  from  being  a  luuden,  the 

French  aided  them  in  their  necessities,  wliieh  were   at 

times  extreme,  especially  when  hunting  failed  them,  as 

happened  quite  frequently. 

Mr.  do         But   the   greatest  advantage  which  these  savages  cx- 

(f.ios  1,1  war  pected  from  the  French,  was  to  bo  aidi'd  by  them  against 

"^iijUiuna."'  tho  Iroquois.     In  tlie  year  1009,  Champlain,  who  had  wui- 

tered  at  Quebec,'  having  been  joined  there  in  tho  spring 

by  Pontgravi?  when  a  party  composed  of  Hurons,  Algon- 

quius,'  and  Montagncz,  was  preparing  to  march  against 


'  Clmmplaln,  Voyages  (fid.  1013), 
pp.  177-304. 

'  He  left  Quebec,  Juno  (t.  «.,  May) 
7,  to  meet  Dupiint-Urave  ut  Tuilous- 
sac  (ib.,  p.  20r))  ;  and  then  having 
concerted  with  liini  an  expedition  to 
tlio  Iroquois  country,  returned  to 
Quebec,  wlienco  ho  sot  out,  Juno 
(May)  18,  and  wont  up  to  a  rivir 
whicli  he  calls  St.  Mary's,  and  which 
Mr.  Ferland  thinks  the  St.  Anno  do 
la  Perado  (ib.,  p.  208  ;  Ferlund,  i.,  p. 
150).  Hero  he  met  a  jjarty  of  Hu- 
rons and  ono  of  Algonquius,  with 
whom  he  returned  to  Quebec. 

"  Tho  Algonquins  and  Montagnais 
weru  tribes  of  tlie  same  stock.  The 
former  tribe  has  indeed  given  its 
name  to  the  whole  family  of  kindred 
tribes  occupying  a  groat  part  of 
North  America.  As  to  the  pos- 
itive locality  of  the  Algonquins 
and  Montagnais  there  are  most 
remarkable  differences  of  opinion. 
Charlevoix  here  places  tho  Algon- 
quins near  Quebec,  and  tho  Montag- 
nais lower  down,  near  Tadoussac. 
De  la  Potlierio  (Histoire  do  I'Ame- 
rique  Septentrionale,  i.,  p.  294)  puts 
the  Montagnais  on  the  Saguenay, 
and  Algonquins,  to  tho  numb(!r  of 
fifteen  hundred,  between  Quebec  and 


Sillery — a  statement  utterly  improb- 
able— with  others  at  Throe  Uivers, 
Saguenay,  nnd  inland  (p.  29(1);  al- 
though he  admits  the  Ottawa  to  have 
been  their  original  country  (p.  288). 
More  recent  historians  agree  as  littlo. 
Mr.  (iurncau  (Histoire  du  Canada, 
i.,  p.  80)  places  tho  Algonquins  on 
the  St.  Lawrence,  from  a  little  below 
Quebec  to  the  St.  Maurice,  with  one 
tribe  at  Montreal  ;  tlie  Ottawas,  on 
the  river  of  that  name ;  and  tho 
Montagnais,  on  the  Saguenay  and 
Lake  St.  John.  The  Abbe  Ferland 
(Cours  d'Histoiro,  p.  91)  puts  the  Al- 
gonquins around  Quebec  and  up  tho 
St.  Lawrence  to  St.  Peter's  Lake ; 
and  the  Montagnais,  on  the  Sague- 
nay and  two  or  three  other  rivers. 
According  to  do  Laet,  tho  Indians 
from  the  Saguenay  to  the  gulf  of 
the  St.  Lawrencj  were  the  Cana- 
dians (lib.  ii.,  eh.  8).  Lescarbot  (His- 
toire de  la  Nouvello  France,  p.  237) 
says  the  people  of  Oaspe  and  Chaleur 
Bay  called  themselves  Canadacoa. 
Sagard,  in  his  Histoire  du  Canada  (p. 
152),  and  Chamjilain  (Voyages,  1033, 
p.  131) place theCnnadianstliere.  The 
present  Naskapees  most  probably  rep. 
resent  these  Cnnailians.  Tho  Mon- 
tagnais, according  to  Sagard  (Ilis- 


"::.'■ 


niSTORY  OF  NE^V  FRANCE.  9 

this  common  enemy,  allowed  himself  to  be  porsuftded  to  1609. 
accompany  them.  Ho  did  not  d()ul)t,  that  with  three  ""-"v— ' 
nations  on  his  side,  still  quite  imnierous,  and  interested  to 
remain  inseparably  united  to  the  Freneh,  he  would  find  it 
easy  to  subdue  sueeessively  all  those  which  might  under- 
takt^  to  oppose  his  designs,  and  to  all  ap])earaneo  his  pro- 
ject was  certain  of  success  ;  but  he  did  not  foi-csee  tiiat  the 
Iioijuois,  who  alone  for  some  time  held  their  own  against 
all  th'  Indians  for  a  hundred  leagues  around  them,  would 
soon  bo  bucked  by  neighbors,  jealous  of  France,  and  soon 
to  become  more  powerful  than  ourselves  in  that  part  of 
America.' 

It  was,  in  fact,  in  this  same  year  that  Henry  Hudson,  Settlement 
an  Englishman,  but  then  in  the  service  of  the  Dutch  East    Dm.h  in 
India  Company,  sailing  with  orders  to  make  a  now  attempt    oriund. 
to  find  a  passage  to  China  north  of  America,  after  seeking 


toire  ilii  Canada,  p.  27),  were  so  called 
by  the  French  from  the  fact  that 
they  iniido  their  winter  hunt  in  the 
mountains.  lie  places  them  around 
Qu<'bcc  (lb.,  p.  l(i!)),  and  alludes  to 
theia  repeatedly  a")  the  nearest : 
Champlain  also  (Voyages,  ed.  UiSli, 
p.  l;!l  ;  ed.  lOiy,  Laverdiere,  p.  lO'O. 
Fatlier  Masse  labored  at  Quebec,  and 
Champlain  gives  Montaguais  prayrs 
by  him  (Voyages,  1032,  Doctrine,  etc., 
p.  16).  The  earliest  Jesuit  Helations 
give  the  same  district  to  the  Mon- 
tagnais  (delation,  ICIS,  p.  11  ;  IC;!;!, 
pp.  .'3,  8,  1",  etc. ;  1031,  pp.  12,  41)). 
The  Rohition  of  U>-'!>  even  spenks  of 
them  as  being  as  far  up  as  Three 
Rivers  ip.  21).  None  of  these  early 
writers  speak  of  Algonquins  near 
Quebec  or  Three  Kivers,  except 
as  camping  for  u  time.  Tlic  Al- 
gommequins  (ChanipUiin,  Voyiiges, 
edition  1013,  pp.  109.  '.iU.j)— Al- 
goumoquins  (Sagard,  Grand  Voy- 
age, p.  70  ;  Ilistoiro  du  Canada,  p. 
801 ;  Brobeuf,  Relation  des  Hurons, 
1C35) — were  clearly  on  tho  Ottawa 


River,  which  Champlain  calls  the 
Oreat  River  of  tho  Algonquins.  Un- 
der the  general  name  Algonquins 
were  coinprisetl  the  Iroquet,  Petite 
Nation,  and  Algon(iuins  de  I'lele; 
the  next  tribe  Ix-yond  being  the  Ni- 
pis-^ings  (Epicerinyen :  Haj^ard,  His- 
toire.  J),  i');}  ;  Orpnd  Voyage,  p.  74  ; 
Champlain,  Vc.ynge  (1013),  p.  311). 
For  the  origin  of  the  war  against 
tho  Iroquois,  Beo  Perrot,  Mccurs 
et  Coustumes  do  Sauvnges,  p.  0. 
In  Chnmi)lain'8  expedition,  oa  we 
eliall  see,  tho  Ilurons  and  Algon- 
quins came  down,  and  t!ie  Mon- 
tHijn.tis  went  up,  to  the  Sorel.  The 
Montagnais  ptill  subsist,  but  have 
fallen  down  the  St.  Lawrence  to 
tho  Saguenay.  i'he  Algonquins  and 
Nipissings  are  now  represented  by 
the  little  community  at  the  Lake  of 
tho  T'vo  Mountain3. 

'  Mr.  Fiiilliin,  in  liis  Ilistoire  de  la 
Colonic  Franraise  (i.,  pp.  130-40),  se- 
verely criticises  Chainplain's  engag- 
ing in  this  war,  but  there  is  much  to 
excuse  him. 


10 


HISTORY  OF  NEW  FlJAN'Ca 


1609. 


TIio  nntoli 

ill  Now 
Nctlii'i'lauJ. 


it  in  vjiin,  landoil  on  Capo  Cod  ;  tlioii  ronthmod  to  rdngo 
tlio  const,  tihvii^H  k<'('|iiii|^  Hoiitliwiml,  mid  iit  10^  N.  discov- 
enul  a  great  bay,  wliicli  lio  ontortul.  Ho  porceivod  n  rivor, 
wliich  lio  UHcondcd  for  Kixty  icagut's,  j^'ivinf^  it  tho  namo  of 
Manliatto,  that  of  tlm  iulialiilants  of  tlio  country.' 

Tlic  next  year,  some  uierclmntH  of  Aiiisterdam  sent 
ships  into  tliis  river,  to  trade  there."  In  101.'),  a  fort  was 
built  wlioro  tlie  city  of  IMaidiatte  now  stands ;'  and  this 
wholo  country  assumed  tlie  name  of  New  Netherhiml.*  In 
tho  course  of  tiino  tho  Dutch  huilt  Fort  Oran<,'e,  niiicli  fur- 
ther north."  lliehard  Hhune,  tho  author  of  "  JJritish  Amer- 
ica," pretends  that  Hudson  sold  that  country  to  tho  Dutch, 
without  the  consent  of  tho  kiu}^  of  Gri'at  Britain,  his 
sovereif^n,  but  that  Sanmol  Argall,  when  governor  of  Vir- 
ginia, expelled  them  ;  that  thoy  obtained  of  James  I. 
merely  liberty  to  water  there  ou  their  way  from  Brazil ; 
and  that  since  that  time  thoy  have  had  no  sottlomcnt 
there.'    But  apart  from  the  improbability  of  this  account, 


'  For  Hudson's  voyafjes,  boo  Col. 
N.  Y.  Hist-  Soo,  siTies  1,  vol.  i. ; 
Berios'J.  vols,  i.an  lii. ;  U'Ciillnjrhnn's 
Ni'w  ?<'i'tlicTlainl,  i.,  p.  i'3.  Hon.  H. 
C.  MuriiJiy,  llciiry  Hudoon  in  Hol- 
land, IMll  ;  J.  M.  Hoail,  Jr.,  Hist, 
Enquiry  1  Sflii.  He  roncbi'd  llii;  coast 
at  tlif  iiioutli  of  till"  Penobscot.  It 
is  not  stated  that  lie  landed  on  ("niX! 
CihI.  IIi^  went  down  to  tlio  C'lu'tia- 
peako,  entered  the  Delnwnro,  and 
on  tlio  yd  of  September  rounded 
Sandy  Hook,  and  eiiturcd  "Tho 
Great  North  Kiverof  New  Notlier- 
land."  Hudson  did  not  call  tho 
river  Manhattan.  It  \va.s  so  called 
in  l'iI4.  Jlenate  is  an  Alnfonquin 
word,  nienning  islimd,  and  was  the 
univor.^al  Fr.'ncli  name  for  the  island 
where  New  York  stands.  It  was 
also  applied  to  Lonj?  Island.  Zeis- 
ber^'er,  Spelling  U(X)k,  p.  23.  Tho 
Alliuiiy  Kecords  (xviii.,  p.  348), 
liku  De  Lact  (p.   TO),   make  it  to 


have  boon  given  by  tho  Dutch  from 
a  tribe  living  thero. 

»  Do  Lttct,  Novua  Orbis,  p.  70  j 
N.  Y.  Colonial  Documents,  1.,  p.  211 ; 
O'Callaglmn,  New  Netherland,  i.,  p. 
08  •  liiodhend's,  New  York  i.,  p.  44. 

'  By  Corstiaensen. 

*  The  name  Now  Netlicrlond  wa« 
first  given  after  tho  exploration  of 
Adrian  IMock,  Hendrick  Corstiacn- 
Bcn,  and  Cornelis  Jacobson  Mey,  in 
1014  :  O'Callaghan,  Now  Netherland, 
i.,  p.  73. 

»  The  fort  at  Albany  was  built  on 
an  island,  in  1014  :  O'Callaghan, 
New  Netherland,  i.,  p.  76. 

«  Ulome,  Tho  Present  State  of  his 
Majesty's  lies  and  Territories  in 
America  (London,  1087),  p.  20'3.  For 
a  discussion  of  the  pretended  Argall 
claim,  see  Folsom,  in  New  Y'ork 
Historical  Collection,  ii.,  p.  333.  It 
rests  on  Plantageuet's  New  Albion 
(Force's  Tracts),  ii.  p.  18. 


i 


H18T0UY  OF  NEW  FRANCE. 


u 


tlio  ftutlior  coiilriidicts  liimm^If;  for  ho  iminoiliiilcly  siiys      1609. 
tluit  in  l')()l  coiniuiHHidiK'ra  sent  by  Kiii^  Clmili  s  II.  took  ^-"^f"— ' 
from  them  tlio  city  of  l\lHiilmttim,  which  tlicy  ciilli'il  New  Tiif  Dnicii 
AiiiHtt'rdum  ;    iiiul  that  tliiitcon   yours  aftiT,  Sir  lloluiit  Neiiiir'iuuil 
Carr  took  from  thorn  tho  fort  aiul  town  of  Orungo,  which 
V/ttH  iiftcrwards  calh'd  Ail>iiiiy.' 

It  is,  niorcoviT,  certain  tliat  tlio  Dutch  ii))  to  that  tiino 
posscssoil  a  good  part  of  tliat  province  ;  tiial  tiiey  liad  as 
neif,'hbors  on  tho  west  tho  Swedes,  who  had  called  Now 
Sweden  what  now  bear.s  tho  nanio  of  New  Jersey  ;  jind 
that  New  Netlierland  Hulmi.sted  under  that  name  till  the 
reign  of  Charles  II.  Then  tho  English,  who  had  often 
troubled  tho  Dutch  there,  obliged  them  to  yield  it  up  in 
exchango  for  Surinam  ;  giving,  however,  private  indi- 
viduals settled  there  liberty  to  remain,  as  most  in  fact 
did.'  Charles  II.  gave  tho  domain  to  tho  Duke  of  York, 
his  brother,'  and  subsequently  his  successor  ;  and  from 
that  time  Now  Netlierland  changed  its  name  to  New  York. 
Orango  was  styled  Albany  ;  but  as  a  great  many  Dutch 
families  remained  there,  they  continued  to  call  ii  Orango, 
and  tho  French  in  Canada  give  it  no  other  name.  Above 
this  city  there  is  a  fort  and  town  on  tho  border  of  the  Iro- 
quois cantons,  and  called  Corlar,*  ironi  which  these  In- 
dians are  accustomed  to  givo  tho  name  of  Corlar  to  tho 
governor  of  New  Y'ork. 

To  close  this  digression,  the  necessity  of  which  will  bo 
seen  hereafter,  tho  Dutch,  while  masters  of  this  province — 
one  of  tho  most  fertile  in  North  America — never  declared 
openly  against  us,  as  the  Englisl.  have  sinco  done  on 


'  Blomo  (The  Present  State)  says 
thirteen  days,  not  years. 

'  New  >'';therlaud  Biirrenilered, 
Sept.  0,  1G04.  See  Articles  of  f'li- 
pitulntion  in  O'Callaghan,  New  Netli- 
erland, i.,  p.  533.  It  was  recaptured 
by  the  Dutch  in  1073,  and  the  next 
year  given,  up  in  return  for  Suri- 
nam. 


'  March  22, 1664.  When  Charles 
II.  recovered  it  from  Holland  in 
1674,  he  issued  a  new  grunt  to  his 
brotlier. 

<  Schenectady,  called  by  the  In- 
dians  Corlar,  from  one  of  the  leaders 
in  the  settlement  in  the  i)lace,  Arendt 
Van  Curler,  as  to  whom  see  O'Calla- 
ghan's  Now  Nothorland,  ii.,  p.  323. 


u 


HTSTORY  OP  NEW  FRANCE. 


1609.  every  poHHililo  ooonHion :  Imt  by  Riving  nriiiH  nnd  animn- 
'-*  T  •-■  niticiii  to  tlio  Inxiiiois,  with  wlmni  Mr.  do  ('liiiini)liiiii  Iiiul 
uiifortnimtcly  cmliroiliMl  liiiiiscif  in  'oclmlf  of  liis  allicM, 
tht'y  t'liiilili'il  tIu)S(i  Hiiviif^^t'S  to  do  IIS  f,'rnit  injury,  iiiul 
compelled  UH  to  MUiiply  tlio  other  Indians  with  fire-arms,  of 
•wliieh  g(K)d  policy  rc><iuirod  that  they  sliould  not  h'arn  tho 
UHO.  "We  niiist,  however,  do  Mr.  do  Champlain  tlie  jnstico 
to  say.  that  his  intention  was  solely  to  hnniMe  the  Inniuois, 
in  onK'r  to  Kuectu'd  in  nniting  all  tho  nations  of  Canada  to 
our  idlianco  by  a  solid  puaco,  and  that  it  in  not  his  fault  if 
circunistani"(>s  which  hu  could  not  forosco  turned  events 
quite  diirerently  from  wluit  ho  had  believed, 
cimm-  15"  that  as  it  may,  ho  cnd)arked  on  tho  river  with  his 
^rxpc.rni,"  allies.'  ITo  then  entered  a  river,  long  known  ns  tho  lUver 
"iroqiwin!"  "^  ^^^^  Iroipiois,  because  those  Indians  {j;eneridly  descended 
it  in  order  to  make  their  inroads  into  *he  colony,  but  which 
now  bears  tho  name  of  Sorel.  After  ascending;  it  fifteen 
leaf^ies,  ho  readied  the  foot  of  a  rapid'  which  it  was  imjios- 
siblo  to  pass  in  boats.  Neither  this  difiiculty,  nor  the  bad 
faitli  of  the  Indians — who  had  assured  him  that  lie  could 
go  to  tho  Iroquois  without  any  obstacle — repelled  him. 
He  sent  back  his  boat  to  Quebec,  and  continued  to  follow 
his  allies  with  two  Frenchmen,  who  would  not  leave  him.' 
The  rapid  passed,  they  began  to  advance  with  a  little 
lie  wur-  more  precaution.  They  canqicd  early,  and  intrenched 
themselves  on  the  land-side  with  a  strong  abatis  of  trees; 
for  it  is  not  the  Indian  custom  to  fortify  on  tho  water- 
side, as  they  aro  never  attacked  in  that  direction.  Care  is 
taken  only  to  arrange  tho  canoes  on  the  bank  of  the 
lake  or  river ;  and  the  surprise  must  bo  complete  indeed, 
if  they  have  not  time  to  embark  and  get  out  of  pei'il 
before  the  intrenchment  is  carried.    As  soon  as  they  have 


■Wnnt  of 
pri'oimlion 
III  til 
riont. 


'  Ho  left  Qiiplioc  with  them,  Mny  '  Now   known   oa   tho  ChnniWy 

28,  1009  :    Champlain,  Voyages  (t;d.  IJapids.— C/^«Wt'r.    Ciiamiilain,  Voy- 

1013),  p.  211.     The  date  is  really,  ages  (cd.  1013),  p.  214  ;  Laverdiero'B 

however,   June.     See  Lavcrdiure's  ed.,  p.  184. 

ed ,  p.  178.  •  lb.,  p  217. 


niHTonY  OP  NKW  FHASCB 


18 


cnrftinpcd,  it  Ih  ouHtonmry  to  Bond  out  HooutH,  but  it  is  nl-  1609. 
moHt  entirely  for  form's  Hiiko.  Tiio  Hcoats  do  not  go  very  '-^-y^' 
fur;  101(1  iiH  Hoon  us  tluy  nturn  uilhout  Htiin^r  any  tiling 
all  rcHt  very  cinittly.  Tiny  ntver  tliink  of  pulling,'  Kcnti- 
nols  at  tlio  entrance  of  tho  camp,  wli(>ro  no  one  watclu^fl. 
ThoHo  savages  are  iluily  th«  dupes  of  this  foolisii  confi- 
deneo,  but  they  do  not  correct  the  error.  Tiio  Iroquois 
olono  UH*^  more  circumspection  in  war,  and  there  is  no 
doubt  that  it  is  one  of  the  principal  causes  of  tlu^  superi- 
ority which  tht>y  have  acquired  over  the  onemiea  who 
have  never  yielded  to  them  in  valor,  and  might  easily 
Lave  crushed  them  by  nundjcrs. 

Ciianqdain  in  vain  warncul  his  allies  of  the  peril  to  which  imiio<itiiros 
thoy  exposed  themselves  by  such  irregular  conduct.  All  "'  ■'"f"'""' 
the  rv[Ay  they  made  him  was,  that  pcoj)lewho  had  labored 
all  day  needed  rest  at  night.  Nevertheless,  when  th(>y 
thought  themselves  near  the  enemy,  ho  induced  tliom  to 
make  their  scouts  more  exact  in  the  discharge  of  their 
duties,  to  march  only  by  night,  and  not  light  any  lircs  by 
day.  What  contributed  the  more  to  this  security,  which  .so 
troubled  the  French,  was  the  confidence  of  the  Indians  in 
their  medicine-men,  whom  Champlain  stylos  Pilotois'  and 
Ostemoy.  The  first  thought  of  the  one  who  accompanied 
the  army  was  to  make  a  little  cabin  of  skins,  as  soon  as  thoy 
landed  to  encamp.  He  covered  it  with  the  same  skin  that 
served  him  as  a  garment ;  then  he  entered  it,  stark-naked, 
and  the  warriors  came  and  ranged  themselves  around  him. 
Ho  began  then  to  utter  words  unintelligible  to  all,  said  to 
bo  a  prayer  to  invoke  the  god  of  war.  A  moment  after, 
ho  announced  that  the  divinity  had  come  at  his  call,  and 
made  known  the  information  which  ho  had  received  from 
him.     He  at  last  rose  ;  for  all  this  time  he  had  remained 


'  Chamiilain,  Voyngos  (ed.  1013),  p.  221  ■,  Lavonlirre's  rdition,  p.  187. 

p.  220.     Tlicir  first  halt  was  on  St.  Pilotois  is  a  fiasciue  word  :    Uiard, 

Tori'sa  Island  ;  LavcrdiiTc's  edition,  Relation  (1(111),   p.   17.     The  word 

P-  l!^5-  oslcmoy,  given  by  Lescarbot,  aout- 

'Cbamplain,  Voyages  (cd.  1013),  nwt/t.isMicmac. ;  Lavtrdiure,  p.  187. 


14 


HISTORY  OF  NEW  FRANCE. 


1 609.  prostrate  on  tho  grouncl.  He  cricrl  out ;  he  worked  him- 
^-""f""^  self  up  ;  he  seemed  beside  himself ;  and  the  perspiration 
Impostures  streamed  from  every  part  of  his  body. 
ju«!j  or».  rpj^^  cabin,  too,  sometimes  shook ;  and  those  present 
never  doubted  but  tliat  this  movement  was  caused  by  the 
presence  of  the  spirit.  They  took  great  care  to  call  the 
attention  of  Mr.  de  Cham  plain  to  this  pretended  wonder  ; 
but  he  had  seen  the  medicine-man  shake  the  poles,  and 
laughed  at  them.  They  told  him,  one  day,  that  he  was 
going  to  see  fire  come  out  of  the  top  of  tho  cabin  ;  but  he 
looked  in  vain  :  the  fire  did  not  appear.  It  would  perhaps 
have  appeared,  had  Mr.  de  Champlain  been  less  attentive ; 
for  these  impostors  usually  take  precautions  to  provide 
themselves  Avith  all  needed!  to  light  a  fire.  The  language 
employed  in  those  invocations  has  nothing  in  common 
with  any  Indian  language,  and  consists  probably  only  in 
uncouth  sounds,  produced  on  the  spot  by  an  excited  ima- 
gination, and  which  these  charlatans  had  succeeded  in 
passing  off  as  a  divine  language.  They  take  different 
tones  :  sometimes  they  swell  their  voice ;  then  counterfeit 
a  shrill,  tiny  voice,  like  that  of  our  puppets :  and  this 
is  supposed  to  be  the  spirit  addressing  them.' 

For  the  most  part,  just  the  contrary  of  what  they  pre- 
dict occurs ;  but  they  lose  none  of  their  credit  on  that 
account,  and  always  find  some  means  of  escape  to  save 
their  honor.  It  is  ever  the  case,  that  men  so  ingenious  in 
deceiving  others  are  surprisingly  easy  to  be  themselves 
deceived  on  points  where  it  is  most  important  for  them  to 
avoid  being  misled.  They  are  not  only  never  on  their 
guard  against  illusion,  but  seem  to  rash  headlong  into  it. 
Antiquity,  learned  and  wise,  plunged  on  this  point  into 
tho  same  and  grosser  extravagances  than  our  Indians. 
The  knowledge  of  the  true  God,  and  the  incontestable 
principles  of  a  divine  religion,  did  not  shield  the  chosen 
people,  the  depositaries  of  Truth.     It  was  neither  savages 


'  CLamplaiu,  Voyages  (ed.  1013),  p.  221. 


HISTORY  OP  NEW  FRANCE. 


15 


ttUy 


I 


I 


nor  infidels  who  said,  "  Speak  unto  us  pleasant  things : 
see  errors  nnto  us."     (Is.  xxx.  10.) 

To  return  to  our  warriors.  All  the  country  which  Mr. 
do  Champlain  traversed  in  this  exiDedition  seemed  to  him 
yery  beautiful,  and  is  really  so.  The  i.slands  teemed  with 
stags,  fallow-deer,  and  other  like  animals,  which  kept 
up  a  bouutiful  supply  for  the  army.  CJroat  numbers 
of  beavers  were  also  seen,  the  proximity  of  the  Iroquois 
not  permitting  hunters  to  stop  long  there  to  take  them ; 
so  that,  by  favor  of  war,  these  amphibioiis  crejitures  en- 
joyed profound  peace.  Fish,  too,  swarmed,  not  only  in 
the  river,  but  also  in  a  great  lake  through  which  it  runs, 
and  io  which  Mr.  de  Champlain  gave  his  own  name,  and 
which  still  preserves  it.  It  is  more  than  twenty  leagues 
long  by  ten  or  twelve  wide  at  the  middle,  and  in  shape 
approaches  an  oval.' 

About  the  middle  of  this  lake,  very  high  mountains  are 
discovered  on  the  south  and  west,'  the  more  distant  of 
which,  lying  some  twenty-five  leagues  off,  seem  almost 
perpetually  covered  with  snow.  The  valleys  between 
them  are  very  fertile,  and  at  the  time  I  speak  of  were  all 
inhabited  by  Iroquois.'  Now  \  liere  are  none  except  at  the 
south,  and  it  was  there  that  our  warriors  designed  to 
make  an  irruption.  On  leaving  Lake  Champlain,  another 
rapid  must  ba  passed  ;  after  which  you  enter  a  second 
lake,  which  is  only  four  or  five  leagues  long,  and  is  called 
Lake  St.  Sacrement.*  The  place  to  which  the  Indians 
wished  to  go  was  still  fui'ther  ;   but  the  enemy  spared 


1609. 


Lnko 
Clmiiiplain. 


Lake  St. 
Sucrumont. 


'  Chamiiiain  (Voyages,  ed.  1013,  pp. 
22;i-4)  says,  eighty  or  one  hundred 
leagues  in  extent. 

'  Chami)lain  gays,  east  and  south. 
What  Charlevoix  says,  Champlain 
apphes  to  those  on  the  east  (p.  2:20). 

"  The  Indians  told  Champlain  so 
(Voyages,  ed.  1013,  p.  220),  but  noth- 
ing 8UU1US  to  sustain  it.    Laverdiuro 


thinks  the  Hurons  meant  the  Mo- 
begans,  conquered  by  the  Mohawks : 
Champlain  (lCi;i),  p.  191. 

*  Lake  George — in  Mohawk,  Andi- 
atarocte.  Champlain  gives  it  no 
name.  The  French  term  was  given 
by  tlie  missionary,  Father  Isaac 
Jogues  ;  Relation  do  la  Nouvello 
France  (,1646),  p.  15. 


^^mr.i  C^r-rx-tM  .'ricjina^  by  oHnf^-arii  111  Ttcu-l  ^\  X^"  __ 


IG 


HISTORY  OF  NEW  FRANCE. 


1609. 


Tlio  two 
muiit. 


them  a  part  of  the  march,  and  by  mere  chance  met  them 
on  Luke  Chaniplaiu. 

For  some  time  the  allies  daily  inquired  of  the  French 
commander  whether  he  had  not  seen  Iroquois  in  lus 
dreams.  His  constant  reply  in  the  negative  troubled 
them  greatly.  At  last,  -whether  ho  wished  to  relieve  their 
minds,  or  really  dreamed  it,  from  constantly  hearing  the 
thing  talked  of,  he  told  them  that  during  his  sleep  he 
thought  ho  had  seen  Iroquois  drowning  in  the  lake,  but 
that  he  attached  no  importance  to  the  dream.  They  did 
not  think  so,  and  no  longer  doubted  of  their  victory. 
Some  days  after,  the  enemy  whom  they  expected  to  sur- 
prise in  their  village,  appeared  about  ten  o'clock  in  the 
evening.  The  joy  on  both  sides  was  great,  and  evinced 
by  loud  cries.' 

Indians  never  fight  on  the  water,  unless  surprised  or  too 
far  from  the  shore,  which  was  not  the  case  here.  Our 
braves  ace-^'-dingly  made  for  the  shore  as  soon  as  they 
saw  the  position  of  aflairs.  Both  parties  at  once  set  to 
work  to  intrench,  and  this  was  soon  done."  Then  the  Al- 
gouquins  sent  to  ask  the  Iroquois  whether  they  wished  to 
fight  at  once  ;  but  the  latter  replied  that  it  was  too  dark, 
that  they  could  not  see  each  other,  and  must  wait  till  day- 
light. The  allies  agreed,  and  all  slept  soundly'  after  tak- 
ing due  precautions.  The  next  morning,  at  daybreak, 
Champlain  placed  his  two  Frenchmen  and  some  Indians 
in  the  woods,  to  take  the  enemy  on  the  flank.*    The  Iro- 


'  Champlain,  Voyages  (ed.  1613), 
pp.  227,  228.  Hf  gives  his  dream  as 
real.  The  place  where  they  found 
the  Iroquois  he  describes  as  "uu 
bout  d'uii  cap  qui  advance  dans  le 
lac  du  coste  de  I'occident"  (p.  228) ; 
43°  and  some  minutes  (p.  232).  Fcr- 
land  thinks  it  Ticonderoga  ;  Laver- 
diere,  Crown  Point. 

'  Champlain's  allies  did  not  land 
or  erect  a  barricade.  "  Ours  also 
kept  all  night  their  canoes  ranged 


side  by  side,  tied  to  polos,  so  as  not 
to  drift,  and  to  fight  all  together  if 
need  bo  ;  and  we  were  an  arrow- 
shot  (from  the  shore)  towards  the 
(deep)  water  on  the  side  of  their  bar- 
ricades :"  Voyages  (ed.  1013),  p.  228. 

'  Or  rather  danced  and  sang  all 
night :  lb.,  p.  22!). 

*  Champlain  says  that  ho  and  his 
Frenchmen  were  each  in  a  canoe  of 
theMontagnais,and  that  they  lauded 
in  the  morning. 


HISTORY  OF  NEW  FRANCE. 


17 


qnois  were  two  Imnflred  atronj?,  all  pii^lcod,  (Ictovminotl 
men,'  who  counted  surely  on  nmking  short  work  of  thin 
handful  of  Algonquins  and  Hurons,  whom  they  did  not 
suspect  of  haviuf^  taken  the  field  to  m^et  them. 

They  were,  however,  mistaken.  TIu^  allies  were  not  in- 
ferior to  them  in  numbers,  but  had  allowed  only  a  part  of 
their  warriors  to  bo  seen.  Both  sides  were  as  yet  armed 
only  with  arrows,  and  those  on  our  side  bcsed  all  tlicir 
hopes  on  the  fire-arms  of  the  French  ;  and  they  recom- 
mended Champlain  to  fire  at  the  cliiefs,  whom  they 
pointed  out.'  These  chiefs,  three  in  number,  were  dis- 
tinguished by  birds'  feathers  or  tnils,  of  a  larger  size  than 
those  worn  by  their  soldiers ;  for  all  wear  them  as  a  gen- 
eral rule,  each  one  arranging  them  according  to  his  fancy. 
The  Algonquins  and  Hurons  first  sallied  from  their  in- 
trenchments,  and  ran  two  hundred  paces  towards  the 
Ii'oquois.'  "NMien  they  came  in  sight  of  the  enemy,  they 
halted  and  divided  into  two  bands,  leaving  the  centre  free 
to  Mr.  de  Champlain,  who  came  forward  and  put  himself 
at  their  head.' 

His  figure  and  arms  were  something  new  for  the  Iro- 
quois, whose  surprise  knew  no  bounds,  when,  at  the  first 
shot  of  his  arquebuse,  in  which  he  had  put  four  balls,  they 
beheld  two  of  their  chiefs  fall  dead,  and  the  third  danger- 
ously wounded.  At  this  first  success  the  allies  raised  loud, 
cries  of  joy,  and  some  discharge  of  arrows  followed — not, 
however,  producing  any  great  result.  Champlain  was 
about  to  load  again,  when,  one  of  the  two  otluir  French- 
men having  also  brought  down  some  Iroquois,  all  were 


1609. 


They  en- 


Pcfcnt  of 
the  Iro- 
quois. 

July  30. 


>'l 


'  "  Who  came  slowly  towards  ua 
with  a  gravity  and  assurance  that 
pleased  me  much." — Vhainplai/i. 

'  Described. 

'  Champlain  makes  the  Iroquois 
como  out  tirst  (p.  '22'J),  and  ou  the 
mst  page  says :  "  As  soon  as  we 
landed,  tliey  bfgan  to  run  some  two 
hunured  paces,"  etc. 
VoT,.  II.— 2 


*  ■'  Marching  some  twenty  paces 
ahead  till  I  was  within  thirty  paces 
of  the  enemy,  when  they  perceived 
me  and  halted  to  regard  me,  and  I 
them.  As  1  saw  them  moving  to 
firo  at  us,  I  raised  my  arquebuse  and 
aimed  directly  at  one  of  the  threo 
chiefs:"    Champlain,  Voyages   (ed. 

1613),  p.  yao. 


!   I 


18 


HISTORY  OP  NEW  FRANCE. 


1609. 


Cruelty  of 
Uie  victor:!. 


thrown  into  disorder  and  thought  only  of  flight.  Thoy 
woro  liotly  [jursuod,  several  killed,  and  somo  made  pris- 
oners. On  the  side  of  the  allies  none  wore  killed,  and 
only  fifteen  or  sixtecui  wounded,  wiio  soon  recovered.' 
The  enemy,  in  their  flight,  abandoned  uuiize  flour,  which 
the  victors  sadly  needed,  their  provisions  having  entirely 
failed.  They  began  by  appeasing  their  gnawing  hunger  ; 
then  they  spent  two  hours  dancing  and  singing  on  the 
battle-field.  At  last  they  took  up  their  hoP'  ard  march ; 
for  among  these  tribes  the  victors  are  o .  the  retreat  as 
soon  as  the  vanquished,  and  froquentlj  in  as  great  dis- 
order and  haste  as  if  pursued  by  a  victorious  enemy.' 

After  eight  leagues'  march,  our  braves  halted,  and  tak- 
ing one  of  their  captives,  reproached  him  Avith  all  the 
cruelties  which  ho  had  been  guilty  of  to  their  clansmen 
■who  had  fallen  into  his  Lands,  and  told  him  he  must  expect 
similar  treatment ;  adding,  that  if  he  had  courage,  he  would 
show  it  by  singing.  He  at  once  intoned  his  death-chant, 
then  his  war-song,  and  all  others  that  he  knew,  but  in  a 
sad  tone  enough,  says  Champlain,  who  had  yet  to  learn 
that  all  Indian  music  has  a  lugubrious  strain.  His 
execution,  attended  with  all  those  horrors  of  which  we 
shall  speak  hereafter,  amazed  the  French,  who  in  vain 
used  every  effort  to  arrest  it.  Nevertheless,  after  some 
time,  seeing  that  the  French  commander  was  displeased 
at  their  want  of  courtesy,  they  told  him  that  if  he  wished 
to  finish  the  wretch  and  shorten  his  sufferings,  it  was  his 
to  say  so.  One  shot  fi'om  his  arquebuse  requii-ed  no  second 
to  close  the  scene. 

As  soon  as  the  man  was  dead,  the  Indians  opened 
liim,  threw  his  entrails  into  the  lake,  cut  off  his  head, 


'  Champlain,  Voynges  (cd.  t0i3),  » Champlain,  Voyages  (cd.  1613), 

p.   231.     Tlio  third,    wounded    by  p.  233.     After  giving  the  latitude  of 

Champkiin,  waa  apparently  not  a  the   place,  he   adds,  "  and   it  waa 

chief ;  and  he  doc3  not  say  that  his  named  Lalie  Champlain"   (p.  233). 

companions  shot  any,  though  one  Tho  Mohawk  name  is  Cauiataga- 

fired :  ed.  1032,  p.  153.  ronte. 


mSTOllY  OF  NEW  FILVXCE. 


19 


arms,  and  lopis,  scatlorcd  liis  liiiil)s  on  one  siilo  and  an-  1609. 
other,  witliout  touching  the  trunk,  altliouyh  it  was  tlio  ^— "r-—-' 
custom  to  eat  at  least  a  jiart.  Thoy  kept  only  the  scalp, 
•which  thoy  put  with  the  rest,  and  the  heart,  wliich  Ihoy 
cut  into  .small  pieces  and  gave  to  the  prisijuers  to  eat. 
Among  these  was  the  dead  man's  own  brother.  They  put 
it  in  his  mouth  as  in  tho  others,  but  he  s|iat  it  out  at  once.' 

Tho  next  night,  a  Montagncz  having  dreamed  that  tliey  Rpocpiinn 
wero  pursued,  tho  retr(>at  became  a  perfect  tliglit,  and  they  tniriKZ  in 
no  lon^'er  halted  anywhere  till  they  wero  out  of  all  danger.  'f,l[,(,V  ' 
Tho  'ilgonquins  remained  at  Quebec,  the  Hurons  returned 
homo,  and  tho  Montagnoz  to  Tadoussac,  where  Mr.  do 
Chaniplain  folhnved  them.'  Tho  moment  they  discerned 
the  lodges  of  their  village,  they  cut  long  jioles,  on  which 
thoy  tied  the  scaljis  which  fell  to  their  share,  and  carried 
them  in  triumph.  At  the  sight  of  this,  tho  women  ran 
out,  and  jumping  into  the  water,  swam  out  to  the  canoes. 
Thoy  then  took  tho  scalps  from  their  husbands'  hands  and 
tied  thorn  around  their  necks.  Tho  warriors  had  ofTered 
one  to  Cimmplain,  and  made  him  a  present  of  some  bows 
and  arrows  from  tho  Iroquois  spoils,  the  only  ones  then 
permitted,  bogging  him  to  show  them  to  tho  king  on  his 
arrival  in  Franco,  to  Avhich  he  had  told  them  he  was  about 
to  sail.' 

Ho  had  hoped  to  find  a  ship  at  Tadoussac ;  but  there  cimmpinin 
being  none   there,   he   went  up   to   Quebec.     Pontgrave  "^iru'ieo. 
i),rrived  there  soon  after,  and  they  embarked  together  in 
tlie  month  of  September,  1C09,'  leaving  tho  colony  under 


•  All  did  :  Cimmplain,  Voyages 
(ed.  ICIO),  p.  234. 

'  The  allies  ]iartpd  company  at 
Cliambly  Rupiils — the  Algontiuins 
and  Ilurons  going  to  their  own 
country,  and  C'liam|ilnin  returning 
■with  tho  Montagnaig  The  panic 
took  place  just  as  tho  Montagnais 
reached  the  mouth  of  the  Sorel :  lb., 
p.  236 ;  ed.  1632,  p.  154. 


•  lb.,  p.  237  ;  Sagard,  Hist.,  p.  4')(5, 

*  Chaniplain  says  nothing  of  not 
finding  a  vessel  at  Tadoussac.  He 
went  to  meet  Dupont  Uravt'  there, 
and  botli  went  to  Queliec  tngether, 
put  Captain  Peter  Chavin  of  Dieppe 
in  command,  returned  to  Tadoussac, 
sailed  tlience  Sept.  T),  and  arrived  ut 
Conquet  in  Brittany  October  8;  Vuy., 
p.  238. 


80 


nisTonv  OF  new  rnANCB. 


i6og.  tlio  onlors  of  PicjTO  Clinvin,  a  wortliy  nmn.  Cliiuiipliiin 
*~*"v— '  was  well  rcci-ivcd  l)y  tlin  kiii^',  of  whom  lio  liiul  nn  aiuli- 
Tlio  iinino  pncy  lit  Foiitiiiiit'ltlciui,  to  ri'iulcr  iiii  account  of  tlic  conili- 

Fiunou     lion  ill   wliicli   lie  Imd  left  New  Fniiicc.     It  was  at  this 

tumuiu.'  ti'»t'  that  that  name  was  f,'iveTi  to  Canada,'  ^Ir.  »hi  Monts 
was  making'  his  hist  cd'orls,  ("specially  with  ]\Iadanio  do 
Gucrciicviili',  to  recover  liis  |iiivile<jro.  He  did  not  suc- 
ceed, as  .[  iiave  stated  :  hut  his  associates,  of  whom  Mes- 
eieurs  lo  Gendro  and  Collier  were  the  leadinj^  men,  did  not 
abandon  him  ;  and  as  the  Hcttlement  of  Quebec  Jiad  been 
made  in  the  name  of  their  company,  which  always  recog- 
nized liim  as  their  diief,  ho  e(iui]iped  two  shipH,  giving 
comnuind  to  Messieurs  de  ("hainpluiu  and  do  I'ontgrave.' 

Clinm-  They  embarked  at  Hontleur  on  (he  7th  of  March,  1010, 
PiuUx|i!lai- but  had  scai'ccly  gone  to  sea,  when  Chaniphiin  fell  sick 

tioii  ui;iiiii>t  ^  ^       ^  L      '       L    ^  i  tj  i-ii-  ii" 

tlio  ho-  and  had  to  ne  taken  aslioro.  rioon  att(>r,  his  vessel  Iiaving 
quum.  |,ppj^  forced  to  put  back,  he  was  able  to  resume  command. 
He  weighed  ancjior'  April  8,  and  on  the  20th  reached  Ta- 
doussac.  Ho  left  it  on  the  '28th,  after  assuring  the  Mon- 
tagnez  that  he  was  come  to  fnllil  his  promise  of  the  year 
before,  to  accompany  them  again  in  war  against  the  Iro- 
quois. In  fact,  they  had  waited  liis  return  to  take  the 
field ;   and  he  had  scarcely  reached  Quebec  when  they 


'  Cliami)lnin,  Vnynpfca  (I'd.  10!31, 
p.  2I!8  ;  but  tliiTc  is  not  a  wnnl  (iboiit 
New  Franco  in  Clinniiiliiin  Iilto,  and 
lie  pivcs  (p.  l(ili)  a  coniniisHion  of 
IGOHiii  wlijchtlic  nam(! occurs twic 
Charlevoix  is  cleurly  in  error.  Tliu 
first  ufi!  of  tlic  nuinc  known  is  on 
tlio  copper  f;lobe  of  Kii]ilinisyiius 
Uipius,  l)elniif;;ing  to  Uucliiiiglmm 
Sniitli,  es(|.,  dated  15 1'i,  in  w  hich  the 
country  is  called  Vcrraznua  nice 
Nova  Gallia.  See  Historical  Maga- 
zine, vi.,  p.  20;i ;  ix..  p.  10!).  It  ap- 
pears next  in  Curtier's  Brief  liecit 
(1515),  p.  40,  vorto:  '  Iluchelnga  & 
Cunndn,  aultretnent  appelh'e  par 
nous  la  nouvello  Fraucu  ;"  and  from 


Mr.  d'Aveznc's  not  noting  nny  vari- 
ance, tlio  \vordH  iiiut't  appear  in  all 
the  manuscripts  of  the  second  voy- 
age. Uiard  (Uelation  do  la  r.'>.u- 
vi'lle  Franco,  ijiicb.  ed.,  p.  2)  ascribes 
the  name  to  Vorrnzani.  Mr.  Fai!- 
lon  (Ilistoirc  delaCiilonie  FnwH'uiso, 
p.  511)  discusses  the  question,  but 
not  witii  his  usual  felicity. 

»  Cliniiiplain,  Voyages  (od.  ICU!), 
pp.  ZW),  2 10.  Mine,  du  Uuerchoville 
is  not  mentioned. 

'  C'hnilovoix's  date  is  correct. 
C'hamulain  says  April  ".ti,  but  tlio 
context  bhows  the  error.  Soo  La- 
vordiere's  Cluimplain,  Voyages  (ed. 
1013),  p.  200. 


niSTORT  OP  NEW  FRANCE. 


u 


caiiu)  in  to  the  number  of  mxty  wftrriors.    Tlio  Al.-^oiuiiiins     1609. 
were  also  in  rciuliiu'MH  ;   iiiul  nil   iiiimcdiiitoly  jn'ofcrdinl  '—"y— ' 
towiinls  Siti'fl  UivfT,  \vlii'rt>  (itlicr  Iiidiiiiis  liiul  iinmiiscil  to 
nssciiihlo.     (.!liiiini>laiii  followed  closo,  in  ii  ImrU  ;  but  ho 
did  not  lind  tlio  muuber  of  warriors  that  hu  was  led  to 
expect.' 

Hi!  loarnod  at  tlicsamn  tirno  that  a  party  of  ono  hundred 
Iroquois  was  not  far  oil';  and  he  way  told  that  if  ho  wished 
to  surpriso  tlicni,  tht'ro  was  not  a  niomciit  to  lnsi> — that  he 
must  leave  his  bark  and  cnd)ark  in  canoes.  Ho  consented. 
Four  Fronchnion  foUowcul  him  ;  the  otht^rs  remaining  to 
guard  the  bark.  The  allies  had  not  paddled  for  nioro 
than  lialf  an  hour,  when  they  si)ranj^  ashon^  without  ft 
word  to  the  Freneli,  and  leaviiifj;  their  canoea  unj^uarded, 
bef,'an  to  run  at  full  speed  throuf,'li  the  woods.  Chainplaiu 
was  <j;reatly  end)arrassed.  Ho  soon  lost  si[,'lit  of  the  In- 
dians, who  had  not  evin  j^iven  him  a  guide.  Ho  had  to 
ninrcli  through  a  swampy  tract,  where  he  went  into  tho 
■water  at  every  step.  Mosipiitos  and  otlier  like  insects 
blinded  him  and  darkened  tlie  air,  and  there  was  no  beaten 
path.  After  running  some  time  at  hazard,  fearing  every 
moment  to  lose  the  way,  he  knew  iv  i  what  course  to  take, 
when  lie  perceived  an  Indian  moving  in  the  same  direc- 
tion.    He  called  him  and  begged  him  to  be  his  guide. 

Some  moments  after,  an  Algoncpiin  chitif  came  to  beg    The  Iro- 
liim  to  quicken  his  steps,  as  they  were  engaging  the  Iro-     tmiatl. 
quoia.     He  redoubled  his  speed,  and  ere  long  heard  tho    Uelemie? 
cries  of  the  combatants.     Our  allies  had  found  the  enemy 
in  quite  a  good  intrenchment,  and  in  attem2)ting  to  force 
it  had  been  repulsed,  with  loss.     They  recovered  courage 
at  the  sight  of  the  French,  and  returned  to  the  charge  as 
soon  as  they  came  up.     The  cond)at  became  very  furious, 
and  Clianq)lain  on  arriving  was  struck  by  an  arrow,  which 
pierced  the  tip  of  his  ear  and  entered  his  neck.    This  wound 


'  Champlain,  Voyages  (ed.  1G13),    Sorcl  with  the  Montagnais  alone, 
pp.  241-8.    Champlaia  went  to  tho    and  met  the  Algouiiuins  there. 


niSTOUY  OP  NEW  FllANCK. 


l6io. 


Tlin  Iro- 

qnni*    nro 

iiliiii'kiil. 

Tlii'ir  B'loi 

dul'uiicu. 


(lid  ni»t,  liowcvor,  prcvont  liiw  fiririR,  as  Idiif,'  as  liis  powder 
and  lialls  liiHtfd  ;  and  liis  own  men  Nupportt'd  liini  well, 
aUlll)U^ll  oni;  of  tin  in  wari  wcnindtul  in  tli«  ant.. 

Tho  Iro(j)ioiH,  who  woro  not  }X't  uccnHtoinod  to  dofcnd 
tlit'niHt'lv«'H  a^'ainst  firi'-aiiuM,  licj^'an  to  Hl'ickcn  tlnir  vol- 
leys, and  sou),dit  to  cover  tlu'insclvcrt  from  tlio  arcpit'lniscs, 
wliifh  had  l)rouf,'ht  Hovoral  down;  hnt  our  nun,  who  liiul 
not  counted  on  ho  long  n  rt'sistanco,  soon  ran  out  of  am- 
munition. Then  (Mianiplain  jyroposcd  to  the  aUics  to 
assaidt  the  intrenchnuMit.  Ah  they  rehslied  tho  ailvice,  ho 
put  himself  at  tiieir  liead,  witii  his  four  Frenchmen,  and  in 
spito  of  tho  vigorouH  defence  of  tho  boHiej^ed,  th«y  Hoon 
made  a  pretty  Vi'ulo  breach.  At  thin  juncituro,  n  young 
man  of  St.  'Malo,  named  des  Prairies,  wliom  Chaniplaia 
had  left  in  his  bark,  camo  up  with  live  or  six  of  his  com- 
rudea.  TIiIh  timely  rc-enforcement  enabled  tho  assailanta 
to  withdraw  a  little  to  rest,  while  tho  now-comcrs  kept  up 
a  fire  on  tho  enemy. 

Tho  Indians  noon  renewed  tho  assault,  and  tho  French 
placed  themselves  on  their  winf,'s  to  support  them.  The 
Iroquois  could  not  stand  so  many  redoubled  blows. 
Almost  all  woro  killed  or  taken.  Some,  in  endeavoring  to 
reach  tho  bank  of  tho  river,  wcro  thrown  in  and  drowned. 
Tho  aftair  being  completely  ended,  another  party  of 
French  came  up,  who  wished  to  console  themselves  for 
having  had  no  st.'iro  in  tho  victory  by  sharing  tho  booty. 
They  seized  tho  v. .(.ver-skins  that  covei'od  tho  Iroquois 
whom  they  saw  atretched  on  tho  ground,  and  tho  Indians 
were  shocked  at  it.'  The  latter,  on  their  part,  began  to 
wreak  their  usual  cruelties  on  the  prisoners,  and  devoured 
one  of  those  who  had  been  killed,  which  horrified  the 
French.  Thus  these  savages  gloried  in  a  disinterested- 
ness which  they  were  surprised  not  to  find  in  our  nation, 


>  Clmni|)liiin,  Voyages  (wl.  101.1),  for  taking  tilings  from  "des  morts 

pp.  24i)-r)t.     He  iIdcs  not  say  llio  la-  plains  de  Biing,  quo  k'B  sauvages  no 

dians  wcio  allocked,  Imt  that  tliey  vouloi«t  prtdrc  la  peine  de  dcspou« 

ridiculed  {no  mociuoiot}  tho  French  iUer." 


iriHTOIlY  OF  NLW  FRANCE.  U 

and  cojjld  not  hoo  that  there  in  niucli  1<'RH  wmnp  in  strip-     i6io. 
pin<(   tlid   (li'iiil   tliiiii   in  fccdiiij,'  mi   llnir  flfsli  like  wild  ^^"v^^ 
blasts,  antl  viuliiliii};  nil  tin'  Ihwh  of  liiimiiiiit}-  \>y  tifli^^ht- 
ing  to  toniicnt  in  tlin  numt  nnwortliy  uumuur  ciuaiiicH  no 
lun^or  iililo  to  dofind  tlioniHolvcK. 

Cliiiiiipliiin  iiskcd  tlnMii  for  ono  of  llnir  juiwonorR,  ftnd 
ilu\V  gavi)  ono  wilii  a  (^'ood  ^^rac(\'  llu  also  iuiliicinl  tlio 
IIuroiiH,  who  wtro  ^oiiiK  hack  to  llit'ir  own  country,  to 
taki)  a  rr(!nc'hnmn  along,  ho  that  ho  might  learn  tlnir 
lani^uagt)  ;  hut  it  was  on  condition  that  Im  HJiould  take  to 
France  n  youri^,'  Huron,  to  bring  thcni  hack  tidings  of  a 
kingdom  of  widch  ko  many  marvels  had  been  told  tluim. 
He  really  took  ono  over  the  Hamo  year,' bringing  him  back 
tho  next  Hpring.  Ho  conducted  him  to  Montreal,  where  i6ii. 
he  clioso  a  place  for  a  setthanent  which  he  designed  estab- 
lishing,' but  which  ho  did  not  begin,  being  obliged  to 
return  to  Frantu",  where  tho  king's  death  Ixad  completely 
ruined  Mr.  do  Monta. 

That  gentleh.an,  by  losing  his  master,  lost  all  his  re-  Tim  rotmt 
maining  cretlit,  and  was  no  h)ng(!r  in  a  condition  to  under-  ',„ils  Vimi- 
take  any  thing.     Ho  exhorted  Champlain,  wlio  had  never  I'on.i'oi  c'lf- 
forsaken  him,  not  to  lose  courage,  and  to  seek  some  '""[^J^."*' 


I  Clmmplain,  Voyages  (od.  lOlU), 
p.  25(i ;  ed.  l(i;!'.',  pp.  ir)0-04. 

'  This  Indian  lio  euiiscqucntly 
called  Siiif^niiii  :  C'linniplain,  V'oy- 
BRea  (ed.  I(ii;!»,  p.  2HS  ;  LcHcnvljot, 
liv.  v.,  c.  .5.  Chutiipluin,  hearing  of 
the  dialh  of  Henry  IV.  and  troubles 
in  Franco,  nailed  from  Quebec,  Aug. 
8,  leaving  du  Pure  in  command  at 
Quebec,  and  reached  Ilontleur,  Kept. 
27,  1010:  Voyages  (Uil:!),  pp.  2G1- 
70  ;  Laver<li('re,  p.  2','l).  On  Dec.  ','!) 
lie  signed,  ut  I'uris,  a  contract  of 
marriage  with  Helen  UouUe,  daugh- 
ter of  N'ieliolii.-i  Hunlli',  secretary  of 
tho  king's  chamber — his  betrothed 
being  thin  only  twelve  years  old  : 
Chroniiiuc  de  lordrc  des  Ursulincs  ; 
LaverUicru'B  Cliampluin,  p.  245.    Ho 


sailed  again  from  Ilonfleur,  Mr.rch  1, 
1(11 1  ( Voyag.,  ed.  l(!i;i,  p.  271) ;  Lavor- 
diero's  ed.,  ]).  231),  and  after  a  voy- 
age of  great  danger  from  icebergs, 
reached  Tadonnsae,  May  lit  (il).,2ti2), 
and  by  the  281  h  woa  at  Saut  St. 
Louis  (\h.,  285  ;  Luverdiere's  ed,  p. 
2>1 ;  cd.  10;J2,  p.  107). 

'  Champluin,  Voyages  (ed.  1013), 
pp.  285-7.  On  this  occasion  he  named 
St.  Helen's  Island,  apparently  in 
honor  of  liis  wife  ;  and  after  meet- 
ing Several  bands  of  U'e.Htern  In- 
dians, returned  to  'rudoussac  and 
endiarked  for  France,  Aug.  1 1  (ib., 
!>.  yi;i),  ai.  1  readied  Hochelle,  Sept. 
10,  lUU  (ib.,  p.  oil:  Laverdiero,  p. 
205 ;  ed.  10^2,  p.  181). 


i 


u 


niSTOuy  OF  new  France. 


Tho  Priiico 

do  Coiiilii 

Bucoueds 

him. 


1612-13.  powerful  protector  for  his  young  colony.  Yielding  to  Lis 
■"^  "  counsel,  Chamj^laiu  aiipliod  to  Charles  do  Bourbon, 
Comto  de  Soissons,  who  received  him  very  favorably, 
accepted  the  proposal  made  to  him  to  become  tho  Father 
of  New  France,  obtained  from  the  queen-regent  all  author- 
ity necessary  to  maintain  and  advance  what  had  been 
already  done,  and  appointed  Chami)lain  himself  his  lieu- 
tenant, with  full,  unrestricted  power.' 

The  death  of  this  jirince,  soon  after,  did  not  disturb 
affairs  in  America,  as  the  Prince  de  Condu  accepted  tho 
position  and  retained  Cliamplaiu  in  the  office  with  which 
the  Count  de  Soissons  had  honored,  him.'  Charaplain 
had,  however,  somo  trouble,  caused  by  difficulties  made  by 
the  St.  Malo  merchants  in  regard  to  trade  ;  and  this  kept 
him  in  France  all  the  year  1C12.  Ho  sailed  again  on  tho 
6th  March,  1G13,  in  a  vessel  commanded  by  Pontgrave, 
just  retui'ned  from  Acadia,  and  they  anchored  before  Que- 
bec on  tho  7th  of  May.  They  found  the  settlement  in  such 
good  condition,  that  deeming  their  presence  unnecessary, 
they  ascended  to  Montreal.'  After  some  stay  there,  Pont- 
grave descended  to  Quebec,  and  Champlain  made  an  ex- 
cursion on  the  great  river  of  tho  Ottawas  (Outaouais)  ;* 


'  ConimisiEion,  Octobur  15,  1013. 
Cham|)lain,  Voyages  (ud.  10;52),  p. 
228.  In  it  tho  Count  do  Soissons 
Btylcs  liimsplf  lioutenant-gcncral  in 
tho  country  ol'  Now  Franco. — Charle- 
voix. Champlain  (ed.  10K3),  Qiiatri- 
emo  Voyago,  p.  07  ;  ed.  10o2,  p.  209. 
The  date  of  tlio  patent  of  viwroy  to 
Cliarles  do  Uouvbon,  Count  de  Sois- 
Bons,  jieor  and  grand  master  of 
France,  is  Oct.  8,  1012.  Moreau  do 
St.  Mery,  Lois  et  Constitutions  des 
Colonies  Fran(,aise,  Menioires  de  la 
Socii'te  Hist,  do  Montreal,  p.  105  ; 
Laverdiere's  Champlain,  Voyages 
(ed.  lOli}),  p.  285.  Ho  died,  Nov.  1, 
1013,  aged  forty-seven. 

'  Henry  de  Bourbon  H.,  Prince  de 
Conde,  first  prince  of  the  blood,  peer 


and  grand  master  of  France,  was 
made  viceroy,  Nov.  20, 1013.  He  was 
arrested  in  1(!10.  Henry  was  the 
fatlior  of  the  great  Conde.  Cham- 
plain, Quatrieme  Voyage,  pp.  7,  8. 
Champlain's  now  commission  is  dated 
Nov.  23,  1013. 

'  Quat.  Voyage,  pp.  0-13 ;  Laver- 
diero,  p.  287. 

*  Laverdiere,  pp.  13-33.  He  went 
as  far  as  the  Algonquins  do  I'lsle, 
commanded  by  Tessouat,  at  the  pres- 
ent He  des  Allumettes.  Ferland, 
Cours  d'lliistoire,  p.  104  ;  Laverdi- 
liro's  Champlain  (1013),  p.  307.  He 
made  tlio  excursion,  deceived  by 
Nicholas  de  Vignau,  who  pretended 
to  Imvo  seen  the  North  Sea.  Quor 
trieme  Voyage,  p.  15. 


HISTORY  OF  NEW  FRANCE. 


26 


after  which  ho  rejoined  Pontgrave,  with  wliom  ho  em-  1614-15. 
barked  for  St.  Malo,  anclioring  there  in  the  latter  daj's  of  ^-"^^^"^ 
August.' 

He  there  conchided  a  new  agreement  of  association  Tiie  Keooi- 
with  morcliants  of  tliat  town,  Rouen,  and  llocholle.  The  ut  yuobeo. 
prince,  who  had  assumed  the  title  of  viceroy  of  New 
France,  approved  it,  obtained  a  royal  patent  for  the  asso- 
ciates, and  gave  it  his  confirmation.  Mr.  de  Champlain 
then,  feeling  no  doubt  but  that  a  colony  in  which  so  many 
wtulthy  men  had  become  interested,  and  which  had  at  its 
head  the  first  prince  of  the  blood,  would  soon  assume  a 
solid  form  in  the  material  order,  thought  seriously  of  giv- 
ing it  spiritual  succor,  of  which  it  had  been  hitherto 
entirely  destitute.  He  asked  and  obtained  four  Recollects,* 
M'honi  his  company  joyfully  agreed  to  supply  with  all 
necessaries,  and  he  undertook  in  person  to  carry  them  to 
Canada.  They  arrived  on  the  25th  of  March'  at  Tadous- 
sac  ;  but  without  stopping  there,  landed  a  few  days  later  at 
Quob(?c,  M'hence  Mr.  de  Champlain  ascended  immediately 
to  Montreal.* 

There  he  found  Hurons,  with  some  of  their  allies,  who 
drew  him  into  a  third  expedition  against  the  Iroquois."    It 


'  He  does  not  mention  Pontgrave. 
ITo  embarked  near  Saut  St.  Louis, 
Juno  ^T,  in  tlic  sliip  of  de  ilaison- 
nouve,  and  rei\chod  St.  Blalo,  A.iig. 
26 :  II).,  p.  T)  1 ;  Laverdiire's od., p. o'J2. 

=  Clminplain,  Voyages,  etc.,  depuis 
lOir),  jiisi]u'a  la  fin  do  1G18  (Paris, 
101!)),  p.  7;  Laverdiire's  Cliamplain 
(1019),  p.  4  ;  Sugard,  Ilisioirc  du 
Canada,  p.  11.  ClinTnplnin  Foystbat 
he  applied  for  them.  Siigard  omits 
all  allusion  to  Champlain  in  the  m.it- 
ter.  These  first  nussionaries  wero 
Father  Denis  Janiay.  commissary; 
Fathers  John  d'Olbeau  and  Joseph 
le  t  aron,  with  Brother  I'acitipus  du 
Plcssis  :  II) ;  Le  Clercq,  Etablis-e- 
ment  de  la  Foi,  i ,  p.  ;'.G.  The  facul- 
ties granted  by  the  nuncio,  Guy  Ben- 


tivoglio,  in  the  name  of  Pope  Paul 
v.,  March  20,  1018,  and  the  king's 
permission,  are  in  Sagard,  pp.  12, 18. 
Lo  Clerc(],i.,pp.  37,  44. 

'  They  left  lIonHeur,  April  24,  and 
arrived  May  25,  1015 :  Canada  Doc, 
series  2,  v.  i.,  p.  2  ;  Sagiird,  ilist.  du 
Canada,  pp.  12,;5G  ;  Le  Clercq,  v.  i.,  p. 
50.  Champlain  (Voyages,  etc.,  IGIO) 
has  August  for  April. 

*  Ciiamplain  did  not  go  up  in  the 
first  boats,  but  8toi)ped  at  Quebec : 
Voyag(!8  (ed.  1010),  p.  10.  Father  le 
Caron  went  up  ahead  to  Riviere  des 
Prairies,  and  said  the  first  Mass 
offered  in  Canada,  June  24  :  Laver- 
diure's  Champlain  (KilO),  p.  11. 

'  '•  The  Sieur  du  Pont  and  I  con- 
Bidered  that  it  was  very  necessary  to 


26 


HISTORY  OF  NEW  FRANCE. 


1615.     is  ovidcnt  that  by  this  compliance  he  took  the  time  course 
^■^"y^"-^  to  gain  the  friendship  of  the  Indians,  and  know  widely  a 
Chum-     country  where  they  were  about  to  establish  a  trade  useful 
cxpciiiiii.ii  to  France,  and  Christianity  among  a  great  number  of  idol- 
iroqiioia.'   atrous  tribes  ;  but  he  exposed  himself  greatly,  and  did 
not  reflect  that  this  easy  condescension  to  all  the  wishes 
of  these  savages  was  no  way  to  secure  the  respect  due  to 
the  rank  with  which  ho  was  invested.     Ho  had,  too,  duties 
more  important,    than   thus  like    a   knight-errant   trav- 
ersing forests  and  lakes  Avith  Indians,  who  did  not  even 
maintain  courtesy  towards  him,  and  by  whom  ho  was  in 
no  position  to  make  himself  feared.    He  might  easily 
Lave  sent  in  his  stead  some  Frenchman  capable  of  care- 
fully observing  every  thing  ;  while  his  own  presence  at 
Quebec  would  have  much  more  advanced  the  colony,  and 
given  it  a  solidity  which  he  too  late  repented  no^.  having 
secured  to  it. 

This  was  not  all.  Seeing  himself  obliged  to  go  down  to 
Quebec,  he  asked  the  Indians  to  delay  their  departure  till 
his  return,  which  would  be  speedy ;  but  they,  forgetting 
their  promise  to  him  not  to  start  without  him,  soon 
wearied  of  waiting,  and  set  out  with  some  Frenchmen'  who 
had  remained  at  Montreal,  and  the  Recollect,  I'ather 
Joseph  le  Caron.'  This  religious  wished  to  avail  himself 
of  the  opportunity  to  adapt  himself  to  the  mode  of  life  of 
these  nations,  to  whom  he  purposed  announcing  Jesus 
Christ,  and  to  learn  their  language  more  promptly,  by 
putting  himself  in  the  necessity  of  speaking  it.    Mr.  de 


assist  them,  both  to  ohligo  them  moro 
to  love  us  and  to  facilitate  my  enter- 
prises and  discoveries,  which  to  ap- 
pearance could  not  be  made  but  by 
their  nv  ans,  and  also  that  this  would 
be  a  road  and  preparation  to  come 
to  Christianity  :"  Voyages,  pp.  1:3, 
14.  Laverdiere's  edition  (p  14)  de- 
fends Champlain  against  Charlevoix 
and  Foillon. 


'  Sagnrd,  Histoire  du  Canada,  p. 
27.  Champlain  (Voyages,  ed.  1019, 
p.  16)  regrets  the  departure  of  the 
twelve  Frenchmen,  as  only  four  or 
five  could  handle  fire-arms ;  and  in 
such  enterprises,  "  the  best  arc  not 
too  good." 

'  Le  Clercq,  Etablissement  de  la 
Foi,  vol.  ).,  pp.  72-7 ;  Sagard,  Ilia- 
toiro  du  Canada,  p.  27. 


HISTORY  OF  NEW  FRANCE. 


27 


1615. 


Champlain,  with  whom  he  had  come  to  Montreal,  had  not 
approved  his  design ;  but  Father  le  Caron's  zeal  blinded 
him  to  all  other  considerations.' 

Mr.  de  Chami>lain  might  have  considered  himself  re-  iiow  t-y  aot 
leased  from  his  engagement;  and  his  experience  should  'jiun's?" 
have  taught  him,  that  to  secure  the  esteem  of  these  bar- 
barians, it  is  good  not  to  allow  them  to  despise  us  with 
impunity.  You  must  oven,  outwardlj',  give  conteinpt  for 
contempt,  if  you  would  repress  their  insolence.  They  do 
not  understand  acting  otherwise  from  virtuous  motives — I 
mean  such  as  are  not  enlightened  by  the  truths  of  the 
gospel.  As  they  often  see  Europeans  act  solely  from 
interest  or  stUl  more  censurable  motives,  it  seldom  occurs 
to  them  that  any  consideration  can  be  entertained  for 
them  from  more  noble  views.  Moreover,  there  are  no  men 
in  the  Avorld  more  prejudiced  in  their  favor,  or  capable  of 
profiting  by  every  thing  to  be  confirmed  in  this  good 
opinion  which  they  have  of  themselves.  The  only  thing, 
then,  that  can  here  excuse  Mr.  de  Champlain  for  running 
after  the  Hurons,  who  did  not  deign  to  wait  for  him,  is  to 
say,  that  he  did  it  apparently  not  to  abandon  to  their  dis- 
cretion a  religious  whom  his  zeal  rather  than  his  prudence 
had  induced  to  follow  them. 

Be  that  as  it  may,  he  embarked  with  two  Frenchmen  champlain 
and  ten  Indians,  whom  he  found  on  aiiiving  at  Montreal ;'  and  makes^ 
but  using  all  diligence,  he  overtook  the  Hurons  only  at "  '^reat.  '*' 
their  village."     He  found  them  forming  a  large  war-party, 
of  which  they  ofl:ered  him  the  command  ;  and  he  accepted  it 
the  more  readily,  as,  besides  the  two  Frenchmen  who  had 
come  with  him,  Father  Joseph  had  brought  ten*  others, 


'  Champlain,  Voyages  (ed.  lG19),p. 
11,  verso,  13 ;  Laverdieru's  cd.,  p. 
18 ;  Lo  Clercq,  Etablissement  de  la 
Foi,  i.,  p.  73. 

»  July  9, 1015  :  Vovagos  (cd.  1019). 
p.  17. 

'  The  first  village  of  the  Ilurons, 
or    Attigouautau    (Attignoouantan, 


the  bear  tribe),  as  Cliamplain  here 
calls  them,  which  lie  reached  waa 
Otoiiacha — probably  Toancho  (La- 
verdiero,  p.  20)— where  ho  arrived, 
August  1,  by  tlie  way  of  the  Ottawa 
and  Lake  Nipissing :  lb.,  p.  24, 
verso. 
'  Twelve :     Laverdiere's    Cham- 


V 


28 


inSTORT  OF  NEW  FRANCE. 


^    :i 


in  New 
York. 


1615.  wlio  awaited  him.  Without  delay  they  marched  on  the 
"""^""^  enemy,"  who  were  so  intrenched  that  it  was  not  cawy  to 
Chwtipiain  approach  them.  Besides  occupying  a  kind  of  fort,  quite 
well  constructed,  they  had  obstructed  the  a]iproaches  by 
groat  abatis  of  trees,  antl  had  raised  galleries  around  from 
which  they  could  fire  down  on  an  enemy  without  exposing 
themselves.  Accordingly,  the  first  attack  succeeded  so  ill, 
that  it  was  not  deemed  expedient  to  try  a  second." 

They  next  attemjited  to  set  fire  to  the  abatis  of  wood,  in 
hope  that  the  flames  would  reach  the  fort ;  but  the  be- 
sieged had  piuvfdel  for  this  by  laying  in  a  great  supply  of 
water.  A  machine  was  then  prepared  higher  than  the 
galleries,  on  which  the  French  arquebusiers  were  stationed. 


plain  (1019),  p.  19.  The  Hnrona  as- 
sembled their  forces  at  Cahiagui',  a 
palisaded  town  (p.  2C). 

•  They  crossed  the  Severn  near  its 
mouth,  went  up  Lake  Shncoe  and 
Talbot  River,  n*id  thence  by  .1  port- 
age jinssi'd  to  Balsam  Lake,  and  do- 
Bcended  the  chain  of  lakes  and  the 
Otonalx'e  and  Trent  to  Qiiinte  Bay, 
where  they  reached  Tiake  Ontario 
(Lac  des  Entouohonorons),  in  view  of 
the  Thousand  Isles.  Compare  For- 
land,  Cours  d'llist.,i.,  p.  174;  Cliaia- 
plnin,  pp.  31-5  ;  Parkraan,  Pioneers 
of  France  ;  Langton  in  Trans.  Lit. 
and  Hist.  Soc.  Quebec,  new  series, 
part  ii.,  p.  08.  They  crossed  the 
lake,  a  distance  of  fourteen  leagues, 
and  then  concealing  their  canoes, 
marched  twenty-five  or  thirty  leagues 
inland. 

"  The  Entouohonorons  were  in  a 
town  with  four  palisades.  Cham- 
plain  describes  his  attack,  the  mak- 
ing of  a  cavalier,  his  own  wounds, 
and  tlip  misconduct  of  the  Hurons  : 
Voyages  (ed.  101!)),  pp.  37-47.  The 
siege  lasted  from  Oct.  10  to  Oct.  17. 
See  N.  Y.  D(KV  History,  p.  Ill,  for  a 
tnmslation  of  Chaniplain's  narrative, 
Ms  map,  and  view  of  the  Eutwoho 


noron  town.  Historians  differ  as 
to  their  identity.  Mr.  Ferland  (p. 
174),  Lavordiero  (Clmmplain,  1019, 
p.  .3.3),  and  Parkman  (Pioneers,  p. 
375),  suppose  them  to  be  the  Sen- 
ecas  ;  but  the  (^ho«outouaro//on  (evi- 
dently Chonontouarorton),  a  tribe  ly- 
ing between  the  Hurons  and  Entwo- 
honorons  (Champlain,  Voyages,  1019, 
p.  30),  arc  more  probably  the  Sonon- 
touaronon  or  Senecas  ,  and  it  is  hard- 
ly safe  to  identify  the  Sonecas  with 
the  Entwohonorons,  as  the  first  stop 
in  locating  the  town.  The  Entwo- 
lionoron  had  been  compelled  to  re- 
move some  forty  or  fifty  leagues  (p. 
79),  and  are  perhaps  the  Wenroronon 
subsequently  driven  by  the  Iroquois 
across  into  Canada.  Marshall,  fol- 
lowed by  Brodheaa  and  Clark,  makes 
the  town  near  Lake  Onondaga ; 
O'Callaghan  and  Parkman,  Lake 
Canaudaigua.  Sagard,  unfortunate- 
ly, had  not  access  to  papers  to  give 
le  Caron's  account  of  this  wintering 
with  tlio  Hurons,  and  ho  seldom  al- 
ludes to  Champlain.  In  his  diction- 
ary (Verbo  Nations)  h(!  has  Les  Yro- 
quois,  Sont«)ulioir<)non,  Aguierho- 
non,  Onontagueronon,  but  does  not 
allude  to  the  Entuuohonorou. 


I 


IIISTOUY  OF  NEW  FltANCE. 


29 


Iliirous. 


Tliis  man<ieiivre  clisooncorted  the  enemy  somewhat,  ami  ifuj. 
they  would  perhaps  have  succeeded  in  reducing  them,  had  ^-"v— ' 
the  Hurons  done  their  duty ;  but  their  great  number  had 
rendered  them  so  presumptuous,  that  it  was  never  pos- 
sible for  the  commander  to  make  them  fight  in  order. 
Moreover,  ho  was  severely  wonndtsd  in  the  h'g  and  knee  ; 
and  this  accident  having  made  the  Indians  pas^s  from  au 
excess  of  presumption  to  discouragement,  they  had  to 
retire  with  loss  and  shame. 

Tlie  retreat  was  quite  well  made,  and  although  they  no  is  obiig- 
were  pursued,  not  a  man  was  lost.  The  yonngest  and  "^'^^ith  the' 
l)ravest  had  placed  the  weakest  and  the  wounded  in  the 
middle,  the  latter  carried  in  baskets  ;  and  in  this  way  they 
made  twenty-five  leagues  without  stopping.'  Mr.  do 
Champlain  was  soon  cured  ;  but  when  he  wished  to  start 
back  to  Quebec,  he  could  never  obtain  a  guide,  as  he  had 
been  promised,  and  with  whom  ho  could  not  at  all  dis- 
pense. The  Hurons  even  added  insolence  to  their  refusal." 
He  had  therefore  to  make  up  his  mind  to  winter  with  these 
savages  ;  but  no  one  was  better  able  to  adopt  his  own 
course  or  turn  all  to  account.  He  visited  all  the  Huron 
towns,  and  some  of  those  which  the  Algonqiiins  then  had 
in  the  neighborhood  of  Lake  Nipissing.  He  reconciled 
some  neighboring  nations  with  the  Hvirons  ;  and  as  soon 
as  the  rivers  were  navigable,  learning  that  they  wished 
him  to  engage  in  a  new  expedition  agair^t  the  Iroquois, 
he  gained  some  Indians  whom  he  had  attracted  by  his 
kind  manners,  and  embarking  secretly  with  them  and 
Father  Joseph,  arrived  at  Quebec,  July  11,  lOlG,'  where 
all  had  given  him  and  the  Recollect  Father  up  for  dead. 
"While  Mr.  de  Champlain  had  been  engaged  in  his  excur- 
sions to  learn  the  condition  of  the  country.  Father  Joseph 


'  Champlain,  Voyagea  (ed.  1619),  July  9 :  Canada  Doo.,  ii.,  pp.  1,  3. 

p.  47.  Sagard  (Ilistoire  dii  Canada,  p.  31) 

'  lb.,  p.  48.  Bays  le  Caron  left  the  Huron  village, 

'  Champlain,  Voyages  (ed.  1019),  May  20,  but  dooB  not  mention  Cham- 

p.  115.    The  Recollect  Memorial  says  plain. 


30 


HISTORY  OF  NEW  FKANCE. 


VlfO 

colony. 


1617.  had  also  gone  from  village  to  village  to  lay  tlio  plan  of  the 
iiiissions  Avhicli  ho  proposed  to  establish  among  the 
Hurons,  and  he  had  turned  ever^  moment  to  profit  in 
stnd ving  the  language.  But  he  had  no  time  to  mcke  gi'eat 
progress,  this  study  not  being  a  matter  of  one  )r  two 
years,  give  it  wliat  application  you  will.' 
A  Recollect  Mr.  de  Champlain  and  Father  Joseph  did  not  remain 
rcmierHft  ovcr  a  month  at  Quebec  after  their  return.  They  em- 
nto''to''tiii)  barlcod,'  Avith  the  Superior  of  the  Mission,  to  return  to 
France,  and  there  remained  in  the  colony  only  one  priest, 
Father  John  d'Olbeau,  and  Brother  Pac-ficus  Dxiplessys, 
who  had  been  appointed  to  instruct  the  children  of  the 
French  and  Indians  recently  settled  at  Three  Rivers,  and 
where  he  rendered,  the  next  year,  a  still  more  essential 
service  to  New  France.  Our  allies,  by  I  know  not  what 
discontent,  had  plotted  to  make  away  with  the  French.  It 
seems  evident,  howciver,  that  they  came  to  this  resolve 
only  in  their  fear  that  Mr.  de  Champlain,  just  returned 
from  France/  would  take  summary  vengeance  for  the 
death  of  two  settlers'  whom  they  had  nuirdered,  perhaps 
to  rob.  The  fact  is,  that  they  assembled  at  Three  Eivers, 
to  the  numbci'  of  eight  hundred,"  to  dehberato  on  the 
means  of  cutting  off  all  the  French  at  once  ;  that  Brother 
Pacificus  was  warned  of  their  design  by  one  of  them  ;  that 
he  gained  several  others ;  that  he  gradually  brought  all 
tlus  rest  to  take  steps  towards  a  perfect  reconciliation,  and 
that  he  undertook  to  negotiate  with  the  commandant. 


'  Aa  to  le  Caro  I's  Huron  niiBsion, 
Bee  Sagnrd,  Ilistoire  du  Canada,  pp. 
27-o0,  l)ri(.'tly,  and  le  Clercq,  E;>ib- 
lissement,  i.,  pp.  7'3-88.  Lo  Curon 
returned  in  March,  1017,  and  cele- 
brated the  first  marriage  with  the 
usual  ceremonies ;  the  parties  being 
Stephen  Jonquest  and  Anne  Hebert : 
Sagard,  p.  41. 

»  July  ','0.  They  reached  Honfleur, 
Sept.  10,  lOlG  :  Champlain,  Voyages, 
1015-8  (e<l.  1019),  p.  178  ;    Sagard, 


nistoire  du  Canada,  p.  31 ;  Le  Clercq, 
Etablissomi^nt,  i.,  p.  100. 

^  Cliamplain  sailed  from  Honfleur, 
May  24,  1018  (p.  123),  and  reached 
Quebec,  June  27  (p.  138). 

*  A  loflssmith  and  Cliarles  Pillot, 
kiUed  in  April,  1017.  Tlio  lock- 
smith had  lieaten  an  Indian,  wlio 
killed  liim  and  his  companlun  in  e- 
venge. 

'  Sagard,  Hist,  du  Canada,  p.  42. 
He  gives  no  date  to  the  Indian  plot. 


IllSTOliY  OF  NEW  FRANCE. 


31 


Mcninvhilc,  Mr.  do  Chanipliiin  insisted  on  haviiif^  the  niur-     1617. 
derciH  of  the  two  Fiouchmen.     They  sent  him  one,  and  he  ^--v^-' 
the  least  guilty,  with  nmch  furs  to  cover  the  dead.'    They 
had  to  accept  this  kind  of  satisfaction  ;   the  thing  was 
anangod,  and  the  Indians  gave  two  of  their  chiefs  us 
hostages.' 

Chanj[)lain  did  nothing  scarcely  but  go  and  como  be-  tho  colony 
twoon  Quebec  and  France,'  to  obtain  sujiplies,  which  were  nogil^'dkX 
seldom  furnished  to  the  extent  he  called  for.*  The  court 
took  no  interest  in  Now  France,  leavhig  it  in  the  hands  of 
individuals  of  limited  views,  with  no  other  object  but 
trade,  who  sought  only  to  fill  their  stores  with  furs,  cared 
very  little  for  all  else,  making  but  reluctantly  advances  for 
settlements  in  a  colony  in  which  they  took  no  interest,  and 
seldom  making  them  in  season.'  The  prince  thought  he 
did  much  in  lending  his  name  ;  and  besides  the  troubles  of 
the  regency,  which  then  cost  him  his  liberty,  and  the  in- 
trigues set  on  foot  to  deprive  him  of  his  title  of  viceroy" 
and  annul  the  commission  of  Marshal  do  Themines — to 
whom  ho  had  confided  Canada  during  his  imprisonment,' 
— the  want  of  concert  among  the  associates,  the  commer- 
cial jealousy  which  embrcjiled  the  merchants  with  one 
another, — all  these  often  threatened  to  smother  the  young 


'  That  is  to  say,  imlc'mnify  tbo 
relatives. — CI«irhroi.r.  As  to  this 
tran8a<'tii)n,si'e<'liami)lain(wl.l019), 
pp.  12o-IJ7 ;  tJHgard,  Histoire,  pp. 
42-5. 

'  Two  boys,  Nigamon  and  Tebachi, 
were  given  :  Le  Clercq,  Etablisscv 
tnent,  i.,  p.  1'.23  ;  Ciiainplain,  p.  137. 

'  He  sailed  from  (Jui'lier,  July  20, 
1018,  and  readied  IIonH.'ur,  28th 
August:  Voyages  1015-8,  pp.  157, 
158.  The  IJerolU'Cts  I'uiil  and  Pu- 
ciflous  iiccompanied  them  ;  lb. ;  i^a- 
gard,  Histoire,  p.  49. 

•  Champlfiin,  Voyages  (ed.  1032), 
p.  110  ;  lit'  Clcrcq,  Etablisseraent  de 
la  Foi,  i.,  pp.  108-11. 

'  Sagard,  Histoire  du  Canada,  p. 


32 ;  Le  Clerrq,  Etablissement  do  la 
Foi,  i.,  pp.  00,  109-71  ;  Cliiimp'ii.in, 
Voyages  (ed.  1032),  pp.  217,  218. 

'  The  Prince  de  Conde  was  arrest- 
ed by  Themines,  at  the  Louvre,  in 
September,  1010,  and  confined  three 
years  at  Vincennes.  Themines  was 
made  marshal  of  France. 

'  Marshal  Pons  de  Lansiere-The- 
mines-Cardaillac.  He  obtained  the 
rank  of  king  s  lieutenant  in  New 
France  from  the  •  leen  regent.  Ho 
died  governor  of  llrittany,  Nov.  1, 
1027,  aged  seventy-four,  ('hamplain 
explains  how  Tlu'mines  came  to  ob- 
tain the  position,  and  he  considered 
it  as  held  only  during  Conde's  im- 
prisonment. 


UlSroilY  OP  NEW  PKANCE. 


MiirBlml  do 
Montnio- 

ronci  Vieo- 

roy  (if  Nuw 

i'runuu. 


i6zo,  1.  colony  in  its  cradle."  And  wo  cannot  too  greatly  aduiiro 
till)  courage  of  Mr.  do  Ciianijilaiu,  who  could  not  take  a 
stt'i)  without  mooting  fiosh  obstacles,  who  expended  his 
own  onorgics  without  ever  dreaming  of  seeking  any  real 
personal  advantage,  and  who  never  renounced  an  onter- 
l)rise  for  which  he  had  constantly  to  endure  the  caprices 
of  some  and  the  opposition  of  others. 

In  1(520  the  prince,  for  eleven  thousand  crowns,  trans- 
ferred his  vicoregalty  to  his  brother-in-law,  tho  Marshal  de 
Montmoronci.'  Tho  now  viceroy  retained  Chaniplain  as 
lieutenant,  ami  confided  tho  management  of  tho  colonial 
all'airs  in  France  to  Mr.  Dolu,  the  grand  audiencier,  wlio.^o 
zeal  and  probity  ho  know.  Then  Champlain,  satisfied 
that  New  France  was  about  to  assume  another  aspect, 
took  out  his  family.  Ho  arrived  in  tho  month  of  May,' 
and  found  at  Tadoussac  Rochelle  traders,  who,  to  the 
damage  of  the  company  and  against  tho  express  orders  of 
the  king,  were  trading  with  tho  Indians.  They  had  even 
done  worse,  for  they  had  sold  these  savages  fire-arms,  a 
thing  previously  wisely  avoided.* 
The Iro-  The  ue>t  year  the  Iroquois  ajipeared  in  arms  in  the 
3"rt!fk"'io  ■^'ei'y  centrt  of  the  colony.  These  savages,  fearing  that 
Kreiicfioo-  *^^i<J^il'l  the  French  multiply  in  the  country,  the  Hurons 
and  Algonquins  by  their  aid  would  regain  their  superiority 
over  tho  league,  resolved  to  free  themselves  of  the  French 
before  they  had  time  to  fortify  themselves  more  strongly. . 
They  accordingly  raised  three  large  parties  to  attack  us 
separately.  The  first  marched  towards  Sault  St.  Louis, 
where  they  found  some  Frenchmen  guarding  the  passage. 
They  had  been  warned,  and  though  few  in  number,  with 
the  help  of  some  Indian  allies,  they  repulsed  the  enemy. 


ilc»tro, 
reiic 
loiiy 


'  Advis  au  Roy  but  les  Affaires  de 
la  NouvnUi;  France,  p.  7. 

'  Tin;  Duke  do  Montmorency  held 
the  position  till  1024.  Ho  joined 
(lawton  in  hisi  revolt  ngainHt  Louis 
XIII.,  w.'.s  taken  at  the  battle  of  C'as- 
telnaudary,  and  executed,  Oct.  30, 

loaa. 


•  Champlain,  Voyages  (ed.  1032), 
part  ii.,  p.  1. 

*  Champlain,  Voyages  (ed.  1032), 
part  ii.,  p.  2.  The  Recollect  convent 
at  Quebec  was  founded  this  year 
(1020),  Jimo  3,  and  dedicated  to  Our 
Lady  of  the  Angels :  Memorial,  p.  4  ; 
Sairard,  Hist.,  p.  50.     But  see  p.  CO. 


EISTOUY  OF  NEW  FK^NCE. 


88 


Several  Iroquois  wore  killed;  some  romaiuod  prisoners;  1622. 
the  rest  oHcaped.  Our  men,  however,  leivrniuf,'  that  these  ^— "'v^"' 
fugitives  were  carrying  oflf  the  Eeoolleet  Father,  "Wilhiim 
Poulain,  gave  chaHo.  Unable  to  overtake  them,  they  ro- 
leaseil  one  of  tlieir  prisoners,  giving  him  his  liberty,  and 
charging  him  to  propose  the  exchange  of  the  missioiMry 
for  one  of  their  chiefs.  This  man  arrived  at  the  moment 
when  all  preparations  wore  made  to  burn  the  religious. 
The  proposition  which  he  bore  was  accepted,  and  the  ox- 
change  made  in  good  faith.' 

The  seccmd  com-  embarked  in  thirty  canoes,  ap- Tii' Luuada 

proached  Quebec  ,id  proceeded  to  invest  the  Recollect  Bupprcssod! 
convent  on  the  St.  Charles  River,  where  there  was  a  little 
fort.  Not  during  to  attack  this  place,  they  fell  on  some 
Hurons  not  far  ofT,  surprised  several,  aad  burnt  them. 
They  then  ravaged  the  neighborhood  of  the  convent  and 
retired."  The  memoir  from  which  I  draw  this  does  not 
say  what  became  of  the  third  party,  but  it  adds  that  the 
Iroquois  had  sufficiently  declared  their  intention  to  exter- 
minate all  the  French.  Mr.  do  Chanq)laiu  was  far  from 
having  sufficient  strength  to  repress  these  savages.  Hence 
ho  dciMued  it  his  duty  to  lay  before  the  king  and  the  Duke 
■ '  '  Montnioreuci  the  necessity  of  relieving  the  colony,  and 
the  disregard  shown  to  that  time  by  tho  company  of  his 
repeated  instances  to  induce  them  to  faltil  their  obliga- 
tions. He  accordingly,  Avith  the  consent  of  the  most  not- 
able inhabitants,  deputed  Father  George  le  Baillif  to  his 
majesty,  to  whom  that  rehgious  was  personally  known. 
He  was  very  well  received  by  the  king,  and  obtained  all 
he  asked.'  Tlie  company  was  suppressed,  and  two  private 
individuals,  William  do  Caen  and  his  nephew,  Emeric  de 
Caen,  entered  on  all  their  rights.* 


'  Lo  Clerai,  Etablissi'inent  do  la 
Foi,  i.,  p.  200,  TLo  event  belongs 
evidently  to  1628.  Sagard  makes 
no  allusion  to  the  circitmstiincc,  but 
notes  I'oulain's  arrival  in  161'J  (p.  49). 

■'  lb.,  p.  20U. 

Vol.  11.  —3 


'  Sagard,  Histoire  du  Canada,  p. 
73  ;  Le  Clercq.  Etablissement,  i.,  p. 
17'J.  Both  give  tlie  address,  dated 
August  18,  1021,  with  tho  letter  to 
tho  king. 

•  This  new  company,  called  tho 


34 


IIISTOIJY  OP  NEW   KUANCE. 


State  of 
Quebec. 


1623-25.  Mr.  do  Cliarapluin  lofirned  tlio  fact  by  a  lottor  of  tho 
viceroy,  who  oujoiucd  hiiii  to  sustuiu  tlioso  iiiorcliiiiits 
duly.'  Ho  at  tlio  Hamo  time  received  n  letter  fioiu  tlio 
kiug  liiiiKself,  by  wlii(!li  UIh  majesty  assured  liini  that  ho 
was  well  satisfied  with  his  services,  and  exhorted  him  to 
givo  continued  jn-oofs  of  his  fidelity.'  This  favor  did  not 
increase  his  fortune — and  it  may  in  trutii  be  .4aid  that  this 
was  what  least  occupied  his  nund — but  it  gave  him  an 
authority  needed  more  than  ever  thou,  esj)eci'illy  on 
account  of  differences  arisinj.  daily  between  tho  factors  of 
the  old  company  and  those  of  tho  SieurK  de  Caen,  and 
■which  might  load  to  unpleasant  results.  With  all  tho 
efiforta  made  to  people  Quebec,  it  could  number  in  1()'22 
only  fifty  souls,  including  women  and  children."  Commerce 
was  not  very  open  ;  but  a  successful  trade  was  always 
carried  on  at  Tadoussac,  and  another  had  been  opened  at 
Three  Bivers,  twenty-five  leagues  above  Quebec. 

William  do  Caen  came  Lo  tlie  spot  himself,  and  although 
a  Cahinist,  ho  lived  quite  well  with  all.  He  had  confided 
the  direction  of  his  afluirs  to  the  Sieur  de  Pontgrave,  but 
that  director's  health  obliged  him  to  return  to  France  in 
1G23.'  This  was  a  real  loss  to  New  France,  which  owes 
much  to  him.  The  same  year,  Mr.  do  Champlain  was 
warned,  on  good  authority,  that  tho  Hurons  were  thinking 
of    abandoning  om*  alliance  and  joining  the  Iroquois.' 


It  Is  forti- 
flud. 


Montmorency  company,  consisted  of 
William  and  Eze<'liifl  de  Caen  and 
William  Kobia,  mercliauts  ;  Francis 
de  Troycs,  president  of  the  truivs- 
urers  of  France  at  Orleans  ;  Jacques 
do  Troyes,  merchant  ;  Claude  lo 
Ragois,  Arnould  de  Nouveau,  Pierra 
de  Verton,  and  Francis  Ilervi' :  Fer- 
land,  Cours  d'llistoire,  i.,  p.  200. 

'This  was  done  in  1(121:  Mont- 
morency to  Champlain,  Feb.  2,1021, 
in  Champlain  (ed.  10;j2),  part  ii.,  p.  8, 
and  le  Clercq,  Etablissement  ile  la 
Foi,  i.,  p.  172. 

» Cbamplaiu(ed.  1632),  part  ii.,  p  8. 


"  Sagard  says  (Histoire,  p.  160) : 
"  All  tilings  consiilennl,  all  the  build- 
ings of  Now  France  consisted  of  the 
little  fort,  the  merchants'  house, 
Widow  Ilebert's  house,  and  our  little 
convent."  Champlain  (Voyages,  ed. 
1032,  )>.  76)  says  that  when  he  left 
Quebec,  in  1024.  it  had  only  fifty-one 
inhabitant*. 

'  Champlain,  Voyages  (ed.  1632), 
part  ii.,  p.  02. 

»  C'hamplain  (ib.,  p.  54)  speaks  of  a 
plot  to  cut  the  French  off.  Le  Clercq 
(Etab.,  i.,  p.  247)  speaks  of  fears  that 
the  IlurouB  would  join  tho  hwiuois. 


mSTOIlY   OF  NKW  I'UANC'K. 


35 


This  ol)liii;o(l  liiin  t(3  Hoiid  buck  to  tliom  Fiitlior  Tosc])!)  In  1623-25. 
('.iron,  whom  Katlicf  Ni<'hohiH  Yii'l  and  llrothcr  (iiihriol  ^"^^"""^ 
Siif,'luirt,'  who  liiul  just  arrivcdl  from  Fraiioo,  choHo  to 
nccoini)an3-.  Tho  next  yoar  tho  commandant  hnilt  tlio 
fort  of  Qiiehoo  with  stono."  Ho  apparontlv  dosif^nicd  to 
put  an  end  to  hin  trav(>ls,  and  dt^voto  himself  entirely  to 
tlio  govenimeiit  of  his  cohniy  ;  Init  he  had  scarcely  lin- 
ished  tho  fort,  whou  ho  returned  to  Franco  with  his 
family.'  Ho  found  tho  Marshal  (hi  IMontmorcnci  n("f^oti- 
ating  a  sale  of  his  viceroyalty  to  his  nephew,  Henry 
do  Levi,  duko  do  Vcntadour,*  and  a  bargain  was  soon 
struck. 

This  gentleman  had  retired  from  court,  and  had  oven  Tho  Duko 
tal-.on  holy  orders.  It  was  not  to  plunge  anew  into  ,Vnirvi(o- 
worldly  turmoil  that  ho  took  tho  direction  of  the  affairs  of  '"J-j,', 
New  France,  but  to  effect  tho  conversion  of  the  Indians  ; 
and  as  his  spirit  lal  directors  were  Jesuits,  ho  looked  to 
them  to  carry  out  his  project.  He  laid  tho  matter  before 
tho  king  in  council ;  and  his  majesty  assented  the  more 
willingly,  as  the  llocollect  Fathers,  far  from  opposing  it, 
had  first  opened  tho  matter  to  tho  Duko  do  Ventadour. 
All  then  conciu'ring  to  the  same  end.  Father  Charles  Lal- 
leinant,  who  had  accompanied  Mr.  do  la  Saussayo  to 
Pentagi'k't ;  Father  Enomond  Masse,  of  whom  wo  have  al- 
ready spoken  ;  and  Father  John  do  Brcbeuf,'  with  two  lay 


roy  I't'  Now 
riiDco. 


'  Brother  Gabriel  Snfi^nrd  Tlu'wlat 
ia  tho  historian,  nuthor  of  tlio  His- 
tf)iro  du  Canada  (Paris,  l();!(i,  18G5), 
and  the  Grand  Vnyngo  du  Pais  dcs 
Hnrons  (Paris,  1(133,  1805).  Ho  left 
Paris  with  Father  Viol,  March  18, 
1&.H  (Grand  Voyage,  p.  0  ;  lllstoire, 
p.  IKJ'i,  and  rcachod  Quebec,  Juno 
28  (Chaniplain,  Voyages,  Kii'.O,  ]>.  54). 
He  mentions  th!'ir(  I  [larture  without 
as.'^igiiing  tho  caus  lierc  given  by 
Charlevoix  (Grand  Voyage,  p  41  ; 
Histnire,  pp.  1.58,  174.) 

'■'  Ho  collected  materials  and  began 
tho  work  :  Voyages  (od.  1032),  p.  75. 


'Champlain,  Voyages  (ed.  1032), 
pp.  75,  70.  He  left  Quebec,  Aug.  15, 
and  readied  I)iep|)c,  Oct.  1.  Emery 
do  Caen  wan  left  in  command. 

'  Clianiplain,  Voyages  (ed.  1032), 
PI).  77, 78;  Sagard,  llistoire,  p.  802. 
Tlie  Duke  do  Ventadour  obtained  his 
patent, March,  lC25(('hainp.,10;)3,  p. 
78),  and  lii'ld  t!ie  viceroyalty  till  .luno, 
1027,  wlien  he  resigned  :  Memoircs 
do  la  Soc.  Hist,  de  Montreal,  p.  107. 
Montmoreiici  left  his  name  to  a  fall 
and  Levi  to  a  point  near  Queuec. 

'•('reusius,  Historia  Canadensis, 
p.  5  i  Lalemant,  Relation  (1025),  p.  6; 


,1m. 


niSTOHY  OF  NEW   FIIANGE 


1623-25. 'brothors,  woro  jvHHignoil  to  tho  Canada  misHiou,  and  in 

""""^f^^  1(525  woro  roiidy  to  Hiiil. 

Fiyo.r.miim  Willinui  do  t'licn  took  thorn  to  Quol)oo,  and  witli  tlioni 
iiiulii.  tlin  Ilocolloct  Fiitlicr  JoHojili  do  Diiilloii,  of  tlio  ilhis- 
trioiis  lioiiHo  of  (III  liiido.'  Ho  giivo  IiIh  word  to  tliu 
Diiko  do  Voiitiidour  that  tho  JoHuits  Hhoidd  want  for 
notliinf,' ;  yot  as  soon  as  thoy  hindod  ho  tohl  thoni,  that  if 
th(^  Hocolloct  Futhoi'H  wuuhl  not  roooivo  and  hid^'o  thorn 
in  their  houHo,  tlioro  was  no  altornativo  l)ut  to  njturn  to 
Franfo.  Tiioy  ovon  porooivod,  oro  h)nf,',  that  painH 
had  li('<ii  takon  to  imjudice  the  inhabitants  of  Qtuiboo 
against  thoni,  hy  cironlating  among  thorn  tho  most  violent 
tilings  puhlishod  by  tho  t'ulvini.sts  of  Fran(u^  iigainst  thoir 
society.  But  tlioir  proHonoo  soon  oiVacod  all  these  projn- 
dicos,  tho  libels  woro  jnibliely  burned,  and  tho  now  njis- 
sionarioH  were  not  long  a  burden  to  tho  Recollects,  who 
liad  oldigod  thoni  to  accept  tlioir  house,  then  loss  than  a 
quarter  of  a  league  from  the  town,  on  the  St.  Charles 
Itivor." 

Trnsicnl        A  few  days  after  thoir  arrival,  Fathers  do  Daiik.i  and 

'k"("1i"ci  do  Ihebeitf  embarked  for  Throe  llivers,  where  thoy  met 
Hurons  who  oirored  to  take  them  to  their  country.  Tho 
two  missionaries  had  left  Quebec  solely  with  this  view, 
and  were  preparing  to  avail  themselves  of  the  oppor- 
tunity offered,  when  news  came  that  caused  them  to  re- 
trace thoir  stoiis."  Father  Nicholas  Viol,  tho  Eocollcct, 
after  spending  nearly  t  o  years  among  the  Hurons,  desired 
to  make  a  visit  to  Quebec,  in  order  to  spend  some  time  in 
retirement  there.     Some  Indians,  preparing  to  make  the 


Katlier. 


Lo  Clcrcq,  Etnblifsoment  de  la  Foi, 
i.,  Ml.  0i)7-;!ni. 

'  CbaiiH)liuii,  Vi)vnKC8  (t'd.  lOoQ), 
p.  84;  Sapird,  llistdiro  du  Cannda, 
p.  8(i3  ;  i.alcmnnt,  IJclatidn  di^  la 
NouvcUo  Fninro  (UJ25),  p.  5.  Tlio 
IJccoUoot's  iiamo  is  ^'ivcii  liv  Siipard, 
J(iB('i)h  de  la  lioclic  Ihiillcm  ip.  5111) ; 
by  k'  ('IiMC(|  (Kiablissenunt,  i.,  p. 
1501),  JoKej)]!  do  la  Itelic  d'Allion. 


'  Tho  site  Is  now  occupied  by  the 
gcncrnl  hospital — C/iarl.  Ferland, 
Cour8<riIistnii'('  du  Canada,  i.,  p.  188. 
Lo  Clorcq  (i.,  p.  311)  says  tho  Jesuits 
remained  in  tliiit  hoiiw  two  years — 
jmrtH  of  l(i"-25-l!,  np]i(iri'ntly. 
_  '  Sajrnril,  Ilistniro  du  Canada,  p 
808;  Lalnmnnt.  Kelution  (162.-)),  p. 
6  ;  Creuxius,  Historia  Canadensis, 
P.O. 


IIISTOIIY  OF   NEW   FUANCK. 


87 


Biuiui  voyii;,'(',  offfri'il  liiiii  a  pliioo  in  thi'ir  caiin(>,  which  lio  1616, 
accopti'd.  Iiistcail  of  takiii^^  tlic  onliiiary  rouU',  tlioy  fi)l-  "— "v—^ 
lowed  tho  c'haiiiifl  wliich  Hcparati'H  ISInntrfal  Islaml  and 
Ih1((  JrHUH,  and  wliii'h  in  cominonly  called  Kiviirn  dcs 
I'rairicH.  Midway  in  this  dianud  is  a  rajiid;  Imt  tho 
Indians,  instead  uf  landing'  and  nnikin*;  what  is  called  a 
portaf^o,  endeavored  to  shoot  it  with  their  canoe.  Whether 
they  did  it  unskilf\illy  or  intentionally,  (he  canoe  capsized. 
Father  Vii'l  and  a  yoiin^'  convert  who  acinnipanied  him 
were  drowned.  From  this  accident  tho  rapid  receiv(^d  tho 
name  of  Sault  au  Rocollect  (tho  RecoUect's  Rapid  1,  which 
it  still  retains.  Ah  all  tho  Hurous  escaped,  and  had,  it 
was  said,  seemed  ill-(lis[)osed  towards  the  missionary, 
there  were  strong  suspicions  that  the  capsizinj,'  was  not 
accidental ;  tho  more  so  as  tlio  savages  seized  tho  host  part 
of  the  good  Father's  haggago.  Bo  that  as  it  nuiy,  there 
■was  no  one  at  Threes  Rivers  who  was  not  of  o]tininn  that 
F.I  I  hers  do  Daillon  and  do  Brebeuf  should  postpone  thoir 
voyage  f<.)r  a  time.' 

The  next  year,  turee  Jesuits,  Fathers  Philibert  Noyrot,  tIio  Jesuit* 
Anne  d(*  None,  and  a  brother,  arrived  at  (Juebec  on  a  ,','j,'j',';„f|'^^II' 
small  vessel  which  they  had  chartered,  and  on  which  tlioy  '"  '^"""<*'»- 
brought   over  some   mechanics.'      By   this   help   Quebec 
assumed  tho  form  ot  a  town  ;  for  till  then  it  was  a  mere 


•     » 


'  Snpird  (IliHtiiirt'  dii  Cnnnilii,  ]i|i. 
80(1, ST  Dmi'iiliimH  tilt- (lentil of  Katiicr 
Vicl  iiicidi  iilullv,  Imt  j^'iviB  no  dc- 
tiiilH.  I'litluT  I.iilrniimt  diicB  tho 
Biirac  in  o  lottcr,  July  '2H,  1(125  ;  Siv- 
gard,  Hirttoiro  du  ('iiiiiidu,  p.  S(18  ; 
Lc  riiTcij,  Etnblisscincnt,  I.,  p.  ;il2. 
(Iii;('lcrn|f:ivcsiii(ir('dc'tiiil,i.,|).  ;!21); 
Lu  Jt'imc,  HcliilioiuHiMh,  p.  l»3. 

"  Tlic'v  liroui^ht  over,  in  l(i'2(i, 
twenty  niielianic!',  with  provisions, 
chari.M-ini;  a  vessel  of  eif,'hty  tons 
for  three  thousand  five  hundred 
livros  :  Cliamplain,  Voynires  (ed. 
lG;i2  ,  p.  86.  Noyrot  returned  almost 
immediately:  Laleniant,  L<'ttiT  of 
August   1,    l(i2(),  in   Carayon,  Doc- 


Ined.,  xii.,  p.  120;  Creuxius,  IllBt. 
C'anad.,  p.  H.  ( 'lianiplain  saiiiMl  from 
France,  April  ''(),  1(120,  with  tho 
Kecolleet  le  Caron  (ib.,  p.  SO).  IIo 
found  that  absolutely  nothinjr  had 
bt'on  uono  in  liis  ubaencc.  Ho  im- 
mediately set  to  work.  In  1(!27, 
Fathers  do  Hrebeuf,  do  Nouo,  and  do 
la  Hocho  went  to  tho  llurons;  8a- 
gard,  Ilisioire  du  Canada,  p.  874; 
I.alemant,  lii'lution  (1(12(1),  p.  8  ;  Let- 
ter of  August  1,  102(J.  Tho  last 
inimcd  penetrated  to  the  Attiwan- 
daronk  or  Neuters,  a  tribe  lying 
on  both  .sides  of  the  Niagara.  Hoo 
his  interesting  letter ;  Sagard,  Ilis- 
toiro,  p.  880  ;  Lo  C'lcrcii,  i.,  p.  iJlU. 


{ 


'I 


83 


HISTORY   OF  NEW   FRANCE. 


1627.  habitation,  and  not  called  by  any  otlier  name."  The  ex- 
^~"~Y-~-'  perionce  and  talent  of  Father  Enenioud  Masse  for  a  new 
settlement — of  which,  according  to  the  memoirs  of  Cham- 
plain  and  Lescarbot,  ho  had  given  marked  proofs  at  Port 
Royal — contributed  greatly ;  but  he  and  his  associates 
soon  found,  on  the  St.  Lawrence,  the  opposition  which 
they  had  experienced  in  Acadia,  and  Avhicli  cost  Franco 
that  province.  Mr.  do  Ventadour,  learning  from  some 
Catholics  of  Quebec  the  misconduct  of  William  do  Caen 
towards  these  missionaries,  wrote  to  him  in  a  tone  which 
greatly  mortified  him.  He  did  not  doubt  but  that  thoso 
who  had  been  tho  occasion  and  subject  of  these  com- 
plaints had  themselves  drawn  these  reproaches  on  him  ; 
and  tho  retaliation  fell  on  them. 
■Wrctehea       On  the  other  hand,  the  Indians  continued  to  give  great 

BtntO   of  *.llO  •  rill  11  ■  ■         i       1  •     i  1 

colony,  uneasiness.  Ihcy  hatl  again  assassinated  colonists,  and 
as  the  French  were  not  strong  enough  yet  to  demand 
satisfaction,  impunity  rendered  tho  savages  more  inso- 
lent, so  that  Hettlevs  Avere  no  longer  sure  of  their  lives  if 
they  went  the  least  distance  from  their  houses.  Such  was 
the  condition  of  tho  colony  when  Mr.  de  Champlain  re- 
turned to  Quebec  in  1G27.'  Tho  buildings  had  not  pro- 
gressed in  his  absence,  and  the  cleared  lands  remained  for 
tho  most  part  un  tilled.  The  partners  of  the  Si  ours  do 
Caen  thought  only  of  tho  fur-trade,  and  minds  grew  daily 
more  exasperated  in  regard  to  religion.  All  this,  pictured 
warmly  to  the  king's  council,,  induced  Cardinal  Kiehelieu 
to  put  the  commerce  of  New  France  into  other  hands,  and 
to  hearken  to  tho  projjosition  made  him  to  form  a  com- 
pany of  one  hundred  associates  on  a  plan  laid  before 
him.' 


'  This  iB  exaggerated.  Lalumant 
gives  the  wliole  number  of  French  in 
the  colony  iis  forty-three.  Tho  col- 
onists introduroil  by  the  Jesuits  wero 
soon  compelled  to  return,  and  Que- 
bec was  not  called  a  city  till  l(I(i;3 : 
Lettres  Ilistoriques  de  la  M.  Marie 


do  rincarnation,  p.  589 ;  Faillon, 
Histoire  de  la  Colonie  Fran(;ai8e,  i., 
p.  223. 

'  Tliis  should  be  1620.  See  note  2, 
p.  37  ;  Crcuxius,  Ilist.,  p.  9. 

"  A  great  com])any,  callt  d  tho  Mor 
bihau  Comiiany,  waa  projected,  but 


IIISTOUY  OF  NEW  FKAN'CI':.  89 

Nothing  was  ever  better  devised,  and  I  do  not  hesitate     1627. 

to  assert  that  New  Franco  would  now  be  the  most  power-  ' <^~^ 

ful  colony  in  America,  had  the  execution  corresponded  Cnmpnny  of 
with  the  beaiitj  of  the  project,  and  had  the  members  of  (l^^o(■illt(!.H 
that  gi'eat  body  profited  by  tlie  favorable  disposition  of  "h.|„(Mit''of 
the  sovereign  and  his  prime  minister.  The  memoir  pre-  ^ '"  ""  '■"'^" 
sented  to  Cardinal  de  llichelieu  by  Messieurs  de  Eoque-  April  29. 
mont,  Houel,  de  Lattaignant,  Dablon,  du  Chesne,  and 
Castillou,  agreed — 1st.  That  in  the  ensuhig  year,  16128, 
the  associates  would  send  over  to  New  France  two  or 
three  hundred  mechanics  of  all  trades ;  and  before  the  year 
1643  they  promised  to  increase  the  number  of  inhabitants 
to  sixteen  tliousand  ;'  to  lodge,  supjiort,  and  supply  them 
with  every  thing  fur  three  years  ;  then  to  assign  them  as 
nuich  cleared  lands  as  would  be  necessary  for  their  sup- 
port, and  to  furnish  grain  to  sow.  2d.  That  the  settlers 
should  be  native-born  Frenchmen  and  Catholics,  and  that 
care  should  be  taken  that  no  foreigner  or  heretic  entered 
the  country.  3d.  That  ui  each  settlement  there  should  be 
at  least  three  priests,  whom  the  Company  midertook  to 
supply  absolutely  with  all  required  for  themselves  in  per- 
son or  their  ministry  for  fifteen  years,  after  which  they 
might  subsist  by  means  of  the  cleared  lands  assigned  to 
them.  To  compensate  the  Company  for  all  this  expense — 
1st.  The  king  assigned  to  the  associates  and  their  repre- 
sentatives, forever,  the  fort  and  habitation  of  Quebec  ;  all 
the  country  of  New  France,  including  Florida,  which  his 
uiiijesty's  predecessors  had  settled ;  all  the  coiu'se  of  the 
Great  lUver  and  the  streams  emptyinj^  into  it,  or  which  in 
that  extent  of  country  reach  the  sea ;"  the  islands,  ports, 
harbors,  mines,  acconling  to  the  ordinance,  fisheries,  etc.  : 
his  majesty  reserving  only  the  right  of  fealty  and  homage, 


:,i 


never   received    a   lognl   existenca;  sand  ;  CreuxiuB,  Ilistoria  CiinmlensiB, 

Bergeron,  Traitt'  di-  la  Nnvigiitinu  ;  p.  1.1 ;   Mercuro  Frani.ais,  xlv.,  part 

Ferliind,    ('ours    d'llistoiro,    i.,    p.  3,  p.   'IW'l ;    Memoire  di's  t'ominis- 

2^3.  Buiri'B,  ii.,  p.  4U4. 
'  The  real  number  was  four  tliou-        '^  Its  western  limit  was  Lake  Huron. 


4t 


HISTORY  OF  NEW   FRANCE. 


1627,  with  a  gold  crown  of  eight  marks'  weight  at  each  change 
■"^T-"^  of  king,  and  support  for  the  officers  of  supreme  justice,  to 
bo  named  and  presented  by  the  said  associates  wlicn  it 
should  bo  deemed  proper  to  estabhsh  them  ;  power  to  cast 
cannon,  buihl  fortified  places,  forgo  all  kinds  of  arms 
offensive  and  defensive,  and  <Io  generally  every  thing 
necessary  for  the  safety  of  the  country  and  the  preserva- 
tion of  trade.  2d.  His  majesty  conceded  to  them  the  right 
to  grant  lands  in  such  quantity  as  ihey  deemed  expedient ; 
to  give  them  such  titles,  honors,  rights,  and  power  as  they 
chose,  according  to  the  quahties,  condition,  and  merit  of 
the  person,  with  such  charges,  reservations,  and  conditions 
as  should  be  deemed  just ;  but  that  in  case  of  the  erection 
of  duchies,  marquisutes,  countships,  and  baronages,  letters 
of  confirmation  should  be  taken  out  from  the  king,  on  the 
presentation  of  Cardinal  do  llichelieu,  grand  master,  chief, 
and  superintendent  of  the  trade  and  commerce  of  France. 
3d.  That  the  associates  might  enjoy,  fully  and  peaceably, 
what  was  granted  them,  his  majesty  revoked  all  conces- 
sions made  of  said  lands,  ports,  or  portions  thereof ;  he 
granted  to  the  associates  in  perpetuity  the  trade  in  leather, 
skins,  and  furs  ;  and  for  fifteen  years  oidy — commencing 
Jatmary  1,  1G28,  to  the  last  of  December,  1643 — all  other 
trade  by  laud  or  sea,  made  in  any  manner  whatever,  in  the 
extent  of  said  country  and  as  far  as  it  might  extend,  ex- 
cepting only  the  cod  and  whale  fishery,  which  his  majesty 
Avished  to  be  free  to  all  his  subjects  ;  revoking  all  conflict- 
ing concessitms,  and  especially  the  articles  granted  to 
William  de  Caen,  hiterdictiug  for  the  said  time  all  trade 
granted  either  to  the  said  de  Caen  and  his  associates  or 
others,  under  penalty  of  confiscation  of  the  vessels  and 
goods  to  the  profit  of  tho  Company,  unless  Cardinal  de 
Eichelieu  should  give  leave,  passport,  or  permission  to 
any  one  for  all  the  places  mentioned.  4th.  Tho  king 
intended,  nevertheless,  that  tl'c  French  settled  m  tho  same 
parts,  who  wei'e  neither  supported  nor  maintained  at  the 
expense  of  the  Couq)any,  should  bo  at  full  liberty  to  trade 


'■     i 


HISTORY  OF  NEW  FINANCE. 

with  the  Indians  for  furs,  on  condition  that  thcj'  sold  their 
beaver-skins  only  to  the  factors  of  the  Company,  who 
should  be  obliged  to  buy  them  at  forty  sous  tournois  a  skin, 
if  good  and  wcU-conditioned,  with  a  prohibition  against 
their  selhng  to  others  under  pain  of  confiscation.  5th. 
The  king  agreed  u  present  to  the  associates  two  ships  of 
war  of  two  or  three  hundred  tons  e:ich,  but  without  sup- 
plies ;  that  if  these  vessels  should  in  any  way  whatever  be 
lost,  the  Company  should  replace  them  at  its  own  expense, 
except  in  case  of  their  being  taken  by  the  king's  enemies 
in  open  war.  Gth,  In  case  the  Company  failed  to  send 
over,  in  the  first,  ten  years,  fifteen  hundred  French  of 
both  sexes,  it  was  agreed  that  it  should  refund  to  his 
majesty  the  estimated  cost  of  the  outfit  of  the  two  ships  of 
war ;  and  that,  if  in  the  remaining  years  it  again  failed  to 
send  over  the  stipulated  number  of  men  and  women, 
except  in  case  of  capture  of  ships  by  the  enemy,  the  Com- 
pany was  to  make  the  same  restitution,  and  be  deprived  of 
the  trade  gi-anted  it  by  the  present  articles.  7th.  The 
king  permitted  it  to  embark  on  the  said  vessels  such  cap- 
tains, soldiers,  and  sailors  as  it  chose  :  on  condition,  how- 
ever, that  the  captains,  on  its  recommendation,  should 
take  their  commissions  or  authority  from  his  majesty,  as 
should,  too,  the  commandants  of  posts  and  forts,  already 
erected  or  to  erect,  in  the  extent  of  the  countries  granted. 
As  to  the  other  vessels  employed  by  the  associates,  they 
might  give  command  to  such  persons  as  they  deemed 
proper,  in  the  usual  manner.  His  majesty  also  gave  the 
Company  four  bronze  culverms,  heretofore  granted  to  the 
Molucca  Compan}-. 

The  king  did  not  limit  his  favors  and  precautions  here. 
To  excite  his  subjects  to  emigrate  to  New  France,  and  es- 
tablisli  all  kinds  of  manufactures  there,  his  majesty  de- 
clared— 1st.  That  all  those  mechanics  whom  the  Company 
agreed  to  send  over  should  be  reputed  master  mechanics, 
if  they  chose  to  return  after  plying  their  trade  and  busi- 
ness there  for  six  years,  and  should  be  privileged  to  keep 


41 


1627. 


■S 


1 


42 


HISTORY  OF  NEW  FRAJICE. 


1627.  open  shop  iu  Paris  and  other  cities  on  their  bringing  back 
an  authentic  certificate  of  their  service  ;  and  for  this  i)iir- 
pose  there  should  annuallj,  at  each  embarkation,  be  filed 
in  the  Office  of  the  Admiialty  a  list  of  those  sent  to  New 
Franco  by  the  Company.  2d.  That  as  goods,  of  whatever 
quality,  coming  fi-om  said  countries,  and  especially  thoso 
manufactured  there,  would  be  the  fruits  of  French  indus- 
try, they  should  for  fifteen  years  be  free  from  all  imposts 
and  subsidies,  although  transportpd  and  sold  in  the  king- 
dom ;  that  likewise  all  munitions  of  war,  provisions,  and 
other  necessaries  for  victualling  and  embarking,  to  be  made 
for  New  France,  should  enjoy  the  same  exemptions  and 
franchises  during  the  said  term  of  fifteen  years.  3d.  That 
it  should  be  lawful  for  all  persons,  of  any  rank  wl^atever, 
— ecclesiastics,  nobles,  officers,  and  others, — to  enter  the 
said  Company  without  compromising  the  privileges  granted 
to  their  orders  ;  that  those  of  the  Company  might,  at  their 
discretion,  admit  to  the  association  those  who  presented 
themselves  ;  that  if  any  were  not  noble  by  extraction,  his 
majesty  would  ennoble  to  the  number  of  twelve,  who 
should  thereafter  enjoy  aU  privileges  of  nobility,  which 
should  descend  to  their  children  born  or  to  be  born  in 
lawful  wedlock ;  that  for  this  pui-pose  his  majesty  would 
furnish  the  said  associates  twelve  patents  of  nobility, 
signed,  sealed,  and  issued  with  names  in  blank,  to  be  filled 
with  those  of  the  said  twelve  associates,  and  that  these 
Letters  Patent  should  be  distributed  by  the  Cardinal  Grand 
Master  to  those  who  should  be  presented  by  the  Company. 
4th.  That  the  descendants  of  the  French  settled  in  said 
country,  and  the  Indians  who  should  be  brought  to  the 
knowledge  of  the  faith  and  make  profession  thereof,  should 
be  deemed  and  reputed  native  Frenchmen,  and  as  siich 
should  be  allo^'sd  to  come  and  reside  in  France,  at  their 
option,  and  there  acquire,  dispose  by  will,  and  take  by  do- 
vise,  bequest,  and  gift  in  the  same  manner  as  real  natives 
of  the  kingdom  and  Frenchmen  born,  without  being  held 
to  take  out  any  letters  of  declaration  or  naturalization. 


IIISTOIIY  OP  NEW  FH.l^X'E, 


48 


In  fine,  the  king  promised,  in  ease  any  civil  or  foreign 
war  occurred  to  prevent  the  fulfilment  of  the  present  ar- 
ticles, to  gi-ant  the  associates  such  further  delay  as  his 
council  should  deem  meet ;  to  issue  and  ratify  in  the  proper 
office  all  letters  necessary  for  the  execution  of  the  preced- 
ing articles,  and  in  case  of  opposition  to  then-  verification 
his  majesty  reserved  cognizance  thereof  to  himself.  Louis 
XIII.  closed  by  saying,  that  if  the  associates,  in  the  course 
of  time,  found  it  necessary  to  explain  or  amplify  any  of 
the  articles,  or  add  new  ones,  relief  shoiild  bo  provided, 
according  to  the  exigency,  on  their  remonstrance  ;  that  they 
should  also  be  at  liberty  to  draw  up  such  articles  of  associa- 
tion, rules,  and  ordinances  as  they  deemed  necessary  for 
the  maintenance  of  their  society ;  which  articles,  rules, 
and  ordinances  being  approved  by  the  grand  master, 
authorized  by  his  majesty,  and  duly  registered,  should  be 
thereafter  inviolably  observed  according  to  their  form  and 
tenor,  as  well  by  the  said  associates  as  by  those  already 
settled  and  to  settle  thereafter  in  New  France. 

These  articles  were  signed  April  19,  1G27,'  by  Cardinal 
de  Richelieu  and  by  those  who  h'^d  presented  the  project. 
The  king  approved  them  by  an  edict  dated  in  the  month  of 
May,  in  the  camp  before  EocheUe  ;  and  this  edict  explains 
in  the  greatest  detail  what  I  have  just  given  in  brief.  This 
done,  the  Duke  de  Ventadour  resigned  into  his  majesty's 
hands  his  rank  of  viceroy.  The  company,  which  took  the 
name  of  the  Company  of  New  France,  soon  numbered  one 
hundred  and  seven  associates,  of  whom  Cardinal  de  Riche- 
lieu and  Marshal  Defiat,  superintendent  of  finances,  were 
the  chief.  The  Commander  de  Eazilli,  Mr.  de  Champlain, 
the  Abbe  de  la  Magdelaine,  and  several  other  persons  of 
condition,  entered  into  it.  The  rest  were  made  up  of  able 
and  wealthy  merchants,  and  of  the  principal  burghers  of 
Paris  and  other  commercial  cities.'     In  fine,  there  was 


1628. 


'  Mercure  Frani.-ais,  xiv.,  p.  233  ;  toire  de  la  Colonie  Fran(;ai8e,  p.  228. 
Edits  ct  Ordonriiincos,  i.,  p.  0.  As  to  'A  list  is  given  iu  Crouxius,  His- 
au  error  iu  thu  last,  see  Faillon,  His-    toria  Canadensis.    Among  otliers  la 


u 


HISTORY  OF  NEW  FRANCE. 


1628. 


hostilities. 


every  reason  to  Loiio  that  New  France  was  about  to  be- 
come a  prominent  object  of  ministerial  attention,  being 
supported  by  so  powerful  a  Company. 

Its  institution  was  marked,  however,  by  an  epoch  of  very 
ill  omen.  The  first  ships  sent  by  it  to  America  were  taken 
by  the  English,'  to  whom  the  siege  of  la  Eochelle  afforded 
a  pretext  for  committing  hostilities  against  France,  al- 
though the  two  countries  were  at  peace.  The  next  year 
David  Kcrtk,'  a  Frenchman  born  at  Dieppe,  but  a  Calvin- 
ist  refugee  in  England,  instigated  it  is  said  by  William  de 
Caen,  who  wished  to  take  revenge  for  the  loss  of  his  ex- 
clusive monopoly,  penetrated  to  Tadoussac  with  a  squad- 
ron, and  sent  parties  to  burn  the  houses  and  kill  the 
cattle  at  Cape  Tourmente.'  The  man  intrusted  with  this 
task  had  orders  to  proceed  then  to  Quebec  and  summon 
the  commandant  to  surrender  the  fort.* 
'  Mr.  de  Champlain  was  there  with  Mr.  de  Pontgrave,  re- 
cently returned  from  France  on  business  of  Mr.  de  Monts 
After  dehberatiug  together  and  sounding 
the  chief  settlers,  they  resolved  to  make  a  defence ;  and 
Champlain  returnee",  so  bold  an  answer  to  the  summons  of 
the  English  captain,  that  he  deemed  it  prudent  to  retire.' 
Yet  they  were  actually  reduced  in  the  town  to  seven  ounces 
of  bread  a  head  each  day,  and  there  were  not  over  five 


Quebec 
Buinmoned 
to  siirrcii- 

ChamruJin's  ^^^^  ^^^  Society 

rei.ly. 


the  name  of  Sebastian  Cramoisy, 
printer  to  the  king,  whose  press  is 
BO  familiar  to  readers  of  early  works 
relating  to  Canada. 

'  Creuxius,  p.  19. 

'  This  nnmo  is  variously  written — 
"Qver"  (Chan-.plnin,  IGlW,  p.  l-">8) ; 
"Quer"  (ib.,  p.  157);  "  Kertk"  (ib., 
p.  219) ;  "  Kcrquo"  (Sagard,  p.  931) ; 
"  Kersius"  (Creuxius,  p.  17).  It  is,  in 
English  doeHnients,  "  Kyrcke."  He 
was  born  at  Dieppe,  of  a  Scotch  fa- 
ther, and  was  a  wine-merchant  at 
Bordeaux  and  Cognac  (Champlain, 
1G32,  pp.  2m,  257.) 

"  Champ.,  Voyag.  (&\.  1632),  p.  455 


(155);  Sagard,  Hist.,  pp.  916-20.  Sa- 
gard  and  Cliamplain  make  no  such 
accuBation  against  de  Caen,  and  Fail- 
Ion  (Ilistoire  de  la  Colonio  Fran- 
qaiae,  1.,  p.  233)  defends  de  Caen. 

*  Chamjilain,  Voyages  (ed.  1C32), 
p.  157.  The  English  bark  returned 
to  Tadoussac,  and  a  shallop  brought 
up  the  prisoners  and  Kirk's  letter  : 
Sagard,  Ilistoire  du  Canada,  pp.  921- 
8  ;  Creuxius,  Hist.,  p.  17. 

'  See  the  summons — dated  July 
8,  1G28 — and  Chaniplain's  answer : 
Champlain,  Voyages  (1032),  p.  157; 
Sagard,  Ilistoire  du  Canada,  pp. 
922-4. 


niSTorJY  OF  NEW  FRANCE. 


45 


poll... is  of  powder  in  tlio  map;azino.'  Kcrtk  was  (Iniilttlrss  1629. 
u'unviire  of  this  critit-al  situation  :  moroovt'i',  lie  tliou^'lit  ^— ^-"^^ 
that  ho  woulil  faro  better  witli  a  fleet  of  tho  new  company, 
commanded  by  ^Ir.  de  Roqueniont,  one  of  its  members, 
whieh  was  liriii.^'iii.t,'  families  ard  snjiplios  of  all  kinds  to 
Quebec.  Ke  had  been  notified  of  its  departure  by  "Wil- 
liam do  Caen,  yet  to  all  appcurauco  he  Avould  fail  iu  this 
enteiiirise. 

Mr.  d(>  ruxiuemnnt's  misfortune  was,  indeed,  less  tho  re-  Tlio  Kn?- 
suit  of  this  heretic  s  perhdy  than  ot  Ins  own  impruilenee.  „  KriMmh 
On  arrivini;  at  the  roadstead  of  Caspe,  he  detached  a  bark 
to  inform  Mr.  de  Champlain  of  tho  succor  he  was  in-iii;.,'- 
ing,'  and  to  transmit  the  king's  patent  creating  him  gov- 
ernor and  his  lieutenant-general  in  all  New  France,  with 
orders  to  make  an  inventory  of  all  the  effects  belonging  to 
tho  Sieurs  de  Caen.'  A  few  days  after  dispatching  this 
bark,  he  learned  that  Kertk  was  not  far  oft';  and  he  at 
once  weighed  anchor  to  go  and  meet  him,  without  reflect- 
ing that  he  exposed  himself  to  the  risk  of  an  engagement 
of  doulitful  issue,  because  his  ships  Avore  Aery  heavily 
laden  and  much  encumbered,  and  that  they  were,  more- 
over, the  only  resource  of  a  colony  on  the  verge  of  ruin.' 
He  Avas  not  long  in  finding  the  English.   He  attacked  them 


'  Cliainpliiin,  Vovages  (c<l.  i(V-Vi\ 
p.  Kit),  lie  BKys  lio  had  not  filly 
]i(mml8  of  cnnnon-iiowdcr.  Tlu^  In- 
dians wi>ro  ill-disixised,  a  chief, 
Mahican-Aticq,  having  killed  two 
Frciicliinen.  This  induced  distrust 
luul  pn 'Vented  the  fi^ilu■riea  :  Sngard, 
llistoiie  du  Canada,  p.  8'.i5,  etc.  ;  Lis 
Cli'mi,  i.,  p.  1377.  In  their  distress, 
two  Uncollects,  Father  le  Caron  and 
Ihcthi-r  (iervais,  set  out  to  winter 
with  the  Algon(iuins;  but  meeting 
Fathi  r  Joseph  de  la  Heche,  and  hear- 
ing of  the  withdrawal  of  the  luiglish, 
returned  to  Quebec:  Sagnrd,  llis- 
toirc  du  Canada,  pp.  !)27-li;!. 

"  Sagard,  Iljstoire  du  Canada,  p. 
939;  Creuxius,  Hist.  Ciui.,  p.  19. 


'  Chamiilain,  Voyages  (ed.  IflliS), 
part  ii.,  pp.  Kil-o.  His  commission 
is,  "  To  (( tc.)  tho  ^ieiir  de  Chum- 
plain,  commanding  in  New  France 
in  the  absence  of  our  dear  and  well- 
beloved  cousin,  Cardinal  liichelieu, 
grand  nuitter,  chief  and  supi'rin- 
tendeiit-generalofthenavigationand 
commerce  of  France."  Hiclulieu  gov- 
erned Canada,  after  the  resignation 
of  Ventadour,  under  this  title,  and 
not  as  viceroy. 

■*  Champlain  criticises  de  Roque- 
mont  fully  (Voyages,  part  ii.,  pp. 
I(i4,  !().■)).  Sagard,  on  the  authority 
of  two  of  his  order,  states  that  de 
Ro<iuemont  could  not  avoid  the  en- 
gagement (Ilist.  du  <,'anada,  p.  939). 


i; 


il 


46 


HISTORY  OF  NEW  FRANCE. 


1629. 


Clinmp- 
IiiIm'h  cm- 

barriiBH- 


nnd  fouglit  well.  But  besides  tlio  iualiility  of  his  vessels  to 
nmiucuvie  as  well  as  those  oi  Kertk,  tlicy  were  of  inferior 
force.  They  wore  soou  crippled  and  couipelled  to  surren- 
der ;'  .so  that  the  bark,  after  inspiring  a  brief  joy  at  Quo- 
bee,  "  only  served  to  increase,"  says  C]iauii)laiu  in  his  Me- 
moirs, "  the  number  of  mouths  to  eat  his  jjeas.'" 

The  harvest,  which  was  very  scanty,  the  oel-fishery,  and 
some  elk  brought  in  by  the  Indians  from  their  hunt,  re- 
stored for  two  or  three  months  a  little  ease  to  the  town 
and  its  people  ;'  but  this  cxliausted,  tlie^'  were  plunged  into 
gi'eater  scarcity  than  ever.  One  resource  remained,  on 
which  great  hopes  were  built.  Father  Philibert  Noyrot, 
superior  of  the  Jesuits,  and  Father  Charles  Lallemant  had 
gone  to  France  f<^r  aid,  and  had  found  in  the  generosity 
of  their  frient'.s  wheri'with  to  charter  a  vessel  and  load  it 
with  provic'ons.*  They  embarked  themselves,  together 
with  Father  Alexander  do  Vieuxpont  and  a  brother  named 
Louis  Malot ;  but  this  vessel  never  reached  Quebec.  A 
vioh'ut  southeast  wind  drove  it  on  the  coast  of  Acadia, 
where  it  was  wrecked.  Father  Noyrot  and  Brother  Malot 
were  lost.  Father  Vieuxpont  joined  Father  Vimond  on  the 
island  of  Capo  Breton  ;  and  Father  Lallemant  having  em- 
barked in  a  Biscayan  vessel  to  carry  the  news  of  the  mis- 
fortune to  France,  was  again  wrecked  near  San  Sebastian, 
but  fortunately  escaped.' 


'  The  notion  toiik  place  July  18, 
1028  'Siignrd,  Ilistdiro  du  Canada, 
p.  OiiO).  FutluTS  Laluniont  and  Ua- 
guencau  wi'.e  taken  and  carried  to 
London  (Creuxius,  p.  19). 

*  Chaniplain,  pp.  104, 185  ;  Sngnrd, 
HiHtoire  du  Canada,  p.  940,  950; 
Creuxius,  Ilistoria  Canadensis,  p.  19. 
S".gnrd  gives  in  his  history  (ch.  ix., 
X.)  an  account  of  tlie  loss  of  de  Itojuo- 
mont's  fleet,  and  especially  of  one 
eliip  carrying  two  Hecollects,  Fa- 
thers Daniel  Boursier  and  Francis 
Girard. 


'  They  bought  the  eels,  etc.,  of  the 
Indians  with  beaver-skins  :  Cham- 
plain,  Voyages,  p.  107  ;  Sagnrd,  His- 
toiru  du  Canada,  pp.  974, 975 ;  Creux- 
ius, p.  !,'3. 

*  This  vessel,  carrying  Noyrot, 
was  not  with  de  Eoquemont's  fleet, 
and  jiut  back  to  France.  Lalemant, 
who  had  been  carried  to  London, 
rejoined  Noyrot,  and  then  the  vessel 
sailed  again :  Creuxius,  Ilistoria 
Canadensis,  p.  20. 

^  Letter  of  Father  Charles  Lalo- 
mant  to  the  superior  of  the  college 


IIISTOUY  OF  NEW  FHANCE. 


47 


The  extremity  to  wliich  the  colony  was  rethicrd  was  not, 
howovcr,  wlifit  most  disturlicd  tlio  governor.  The  In- 
dians, from  tlie  lime  of  tlio  Enj^disli  coming,  seemed  greatly 
alienated  from  the  French  ;  and  it  must  bo  avowed  that 
the  latter  had  given  them  some  ground.  There  was  mnch 
mixture  among  the  settlors  ;  the  Huguenots  brought  over 
by  the  Sieur  de  Ciien  were  not  very  submissive  to  lawful 
authority,  and  all  Champhiin's  firmness  could  not  check 
the  disorders  to  bo  expected  from  men  not  over-loyal  to 
the  State. 

In  this  sad  position,  the  governor  first  thought  that  tho 
best  course  for  him  to  adopt  would  be,  in  case  ho  were  not 
relieved  in  season,  to  go  and  make  war  on  tho  Ii'oqnois,  and 
live  at  their  expense.  The  last  incursions  of  these  Indians, 
and  some  hostilities  which  they  i.ad  recently  committed, 
furnished  him  just  ground  ;  but  when  ho  canio  to  think  of 
setting  out,  no  powder  could  be  found.  He  had,  therefore, 
to  remain  at  Quebec,  where  there  was  absolutely  nothing 
to  support  a  hundred  people  shut  up  there,  and  reduced 
now  to  hunting  for  roots  in  tho  woods  like  animals.'  In 
this  state,  next  to  news  of  the  arrival  of  ships  from  France, 
tliey  could  scarcely  receive  any  more  agx'eeable  than  that 
of  the  return  of  the  English. 

Accordingly,  when  at  the  close  of  July — that  is  to  say, 
three  months  after  their  provisions  had  entirely  failed — 
word  was  brought  to  Mr.  de  Champlain  that  English  sails 
were  seen  behind  Pointe  do  Levi,"  not  doubting  but  that 


1629. 


at  Paris,  Bordeaux,  Nov.  22,  1020  ; 
Champlain  (oil.  1032),  p.  270;  in 
Englisli  in  Slioa,  Perils  of  tlio  Ocean 
and  Wilderness,  p.  9.  Cn-uxius 
(Historia  Canadensis,  pp.  40-4),  gives 
a  sketch  also  of  Noyrot  and  Malot. 

'  Cliamplain,  Depositinn,  Nov.  9, 
1029  (State-paper  ollice.  col.  series, 
v.,  art.  34) ;  Voyoges  (ed.  1632),  pp. 
207,  213  ;  Eustace  BouUe's  Deposi- 
tion (State-paper  office,  col.  series,  v., 
art.  35) ;  I'Abeille,  x..  No.  11.  Cham- 
plain sent  Boulle  with  twenty-nino 


Qiioheo 

niriiiii  siim- 

iiioiieil  by 

the  P^ng- 

libh. 


men,  women,  and  children  to  Gaspe ; 
Sagiird,  Histoire  du  Canada,  p.  977. 
In  July  ho  sent  a  Frenchman  to  tho 
Abenaquioue,  who  offered  to  keep 
twenty  or  twenty-five  till  spring  (ib., 
979,  980).  The  population  of  Que- 
bec at  its  rapture  is  not  given.  It 
did  not,  however,  exceed  one  hur- 
dred. 

"  Sogard  (Histoire,  pp.  980,  087), 
says  tho  intelligence  was  received 
Jidy  19,  1029 ;  Creuxius,  Historia 
Canadensis,  p.  20. 


48 


IllSrollV  OF  NFAV  FKANCB. 


1629.  it  was  Kcrtk's  Hqnadion,  lio  rogiinlod  timt  commandor  losH 
^■^■'v— ^  as  an  cnoiiiv  than  as  a  dt'livorcr  to  whom  ho  owed  his  own 
and  his  coUiny's  cscapo  from  starvation.  It  was  Imt  a  fow 
hoiiiH  alter  rccciviiij,'  this  iiitfllif^onoo  that  ho  saw  a  boat 
aiiproac'li  l)o.arin<,'  a  wliitc  lla^'.  I'ho  olllccr  in  command, 
after  advancinj,'  to  about  tlio  mlddh'  of  tho  harbor,  stopped, 
as  if  to  ask  pormission  to  approach.  This  was  given  at 
first  by  raisin;^  a  fliij,'  Himilar  to  liis  own  ;  and  as  soon  as 
hohiiidt.d,  ho  jircscntcd  to  the  p;ovorn(n'  ah'tt(>r  from  Louis 
and  Thomas  Kertk,  lirothcrs  of  Admiral  David  Kertk.' 

This  h'ttcr  contaiiu  d  a  summons  in  extremely  pohto 
terras.  The  two  brothers,  one  of  wl  .om  was  to  command 
at  Quebec  and  tlio  otlier  directed  tlio  tleet,  the  greater  part 
of  which  remained  witii  Tiiomas  at  Tadoussac,  ;^avo  Mr. 
de  Champhiin  to  understand  that  tliey  were  awaro  of  tho 
sad  state  of  his  coh)!!^'  :  that,  nevertheless,  if  he  would 
surrender  his  fort,  tliey  would  allow  him  to  nmko  his  own 
conditions.  What  had  so  well  informed  the  English  of  the 
situation  of  Quebec,  was  the  capture  of  tho  Siour  Boule, 
Champlaiu's  lieutenant  and  brother-in-law,  whom  the  gov- 
enior  had  dispalched  to  ■  ^ireseut  to  tho  Company  the 
pressing  need  of  succor  in  which  ho  stood.  From  some  of 
his  sailors,  tho  English  had  artfully  drawn  tho  object  of 
their  voyage." 
Conciitiona  The  governor  was  far  from  refusing  the  offer  made  hira. 
rcudijr.  Ho  accept(-d  it,'  but  begged  tho  conmiander  not  to  ap- 
proach any  nearer  till  all  was  agreed  upon.  Tho  oflScor 
■went  back  with  this  answer,  and  tho  evening  of  tho  same 
day  ho  returned  to  Qu3bec  to  ask  the  articles  of  capitula- 


'  Sec  letter  in  Chamiiloin,  pnrt  ii,, 
p.  215  ;  Sagnnl,  Histoirodu  Canada, 
p.  988 ;  Crtuxius,  Historia  Cana- 
densis, p.  27.  It  is  dated  July  19, 
1629.  The  English  fleet,  six  sliiim 
anil  t>vo  pimi.icos,  left  Qravewrd 
March  2C,,  1(!20  ;  Deposition  of  Cap- 
tain David  Kyrcko  (State-pajH-r  of- 
fice col.,  Bcrics  v.,  art.  37). 


'  Sagard,  Histoire  du  Canada,  p. 
984  •  I'reuxius,  Historia  CanadensiB, 
p.  25  ;  Charaplain,  Voyages  (1C33), 
p.  230. 

^  Siigard,  Histoire  du  Canada,  p. 
9S9;  Champlain  (Letter  to  Kirk, 
July  19,  1029),  Voyages,  (ed.  1632), 
p.  21.');  Creuxius,  Historia  Cana- 
densis, p.  29. 


IIISTOItY  OK  NKW  FPANl'K. 


49 


ti'>n.  Climnpliiiii  f,'iivn  liis  in  writing,',  lunl  they  pi'ovidoil  :' 
Int.  Tliiit  licforo  any  furtlicr  hU'\)h,  tlio  McsHicurH  Kt-tk 
slioulil  hIiow  tlicir  connuisMiou  from  tho  kinjj;  of  (hnsiit 
Uiitnin,  and  ii  jxjwcr  from  tlu-ir  l)rotlior  Admiral  David  ; 
2d.  Tliat  tlii'V  sliould  furnish  liim  a  vcsmcI  to  jtrocrcfd  to 
Franco  with  all  tlu>  Frenchmen,  without  i'xcci>tin<,' any,  not 
even  two  Iiidinu  girls  bel()nginf»  to  him  ;  3d.  That  the 
military  shouhl  march  out  w  ith  tiicir  arms  and  all  circcts 
that  they  could  carry  ;  If'  Tiiat  tho  vessel  to  bo  givon 
thorn  should  bo  fully  rij^'god  and  Ik;  provisioned,  tht?  last  to 
bo  paid  for  iu  furs,  tho  surplus  of  which  to  bo  carried  o£f 
l)y  tho  owners  ;  r>th.  That  no  insult  or  violence  should  bo 
done  to  any  one  ;  0th.  That  tho  ship  should  1)0  given  up 
tliroo  days  after  tho  arrival  of  tho  French  at  Tadoussac, 
and  that  barks  should  bi;  ^^'ven  to  convoy  thorn  to  that  port. 
There  was  little  difficulty  as  to  tho  main  articles.  Louis 
Kortk  replied  that  his  brother,  Thonms  Kertk,  who  had 
remained  at  Tadoussac,  had  tho  commission  and  authority 
demanded,  and  that  ho  would  produce  them  when  ho  had 
the  honor  to  seo  Mr.  do  Charajilain ;  that  there  would  bo 
no  difficulty  as  to  giving  a  vessel,  and  that  if  it  was  not 
largo  enough  to  carry  all  tho  French,  there  would  bo  room 
on  tho  squadron  for  any  that  wished  to  embark  in  it, — with 
the  pledge  of  being  well  treated  and  of  being  transported 
to  Franco  as  soon  as  they  set  foot  in  an  English  port.  Tho 
article  as  to  the  two  Indian  girls  was  at  first  refused,  but 
subsequently  granted.  It  was  agreed  that  tho  oflicers 
should  march  out  with  their  arms  and  baggage,  and  in 
general  all  that  belonged  to  them  ;  tho  soldiers  with  arms, 
clothing,  and  a  beaver  robe  for  each  ;  tho  religious  Avitli 
their  books  ;'  but  every  thing  else  to  1)0  left  in  tho  fort. 
Champlain  considered  himself  very  fortunate  in  obtaining 


1629. 


'  ScoarticlcsiClmnipIain,  Voyages,  condurtcd  by  FiUlicr  le  Caron  :  Sa- 

pnrt  ii.,  ]i.  210).     Tlu;  tliird  article  ganl,  pp.  080-1)1. 

wiis  not  onnfinod  to  tho  military,  l)Ut  '  Aiul  clothes.    Seo  artich'S,  Cham- 

incluilfd  nil,  and  named  the  religions  plain,  ]>.  218;    Creuxius,    Historia 

expressly.     The   negotiations   weru  Canadensin,  p.  37. 

Vol.  II.— 1 


00 


niSTOHY  OF  NKW  FRANCE. 


1629.     those  conditions,  nuil  thought  it  not  worth  whilo  to  prosg 
^■""'V"*^  tho  othors. 

Tho  imxt  (hiy,  July  20,  liouis  Kortk  anchnrod  in  the  roftd- 
stoad  with  liin  thrtso  Hhi|)H,  his  own  a  vessul  of  ouo  huiidnid 
tons,  currying  ten  gunn ;  tho  otlior  two,  patachos  of  fifty 
tons  and  six  guns.'  Thti  governor  wont  on  hoard  to  visit 
him,  and  was  well  rccuuvod.  Ho  asked  and  ohtaincul  Hol- 
dlors  to  guard  tho  ohapol,  and  protect  tlio  two  rehgioua 
houHOH  (JeHuit  and  llecnllect)'  from  all  insult.  Kortk  thoa 
lauded  at  Quebec  and  took  possession  of  tho  fort,  then  of 
tho  warehouse,  tho  keys  of  which  ho  conunittcd  to  one  Lo 
Daillif,  of  Amiens,  wlio  had  gone  over  to  tlio  onemy  with 
three  other  Frenchmen,  St(>phen  Bmle,  of  Chanipigni ; 
Nicholas  Marsolot,  of  Rouen  ;  and  Peter  Kayo,  of  raris. 
Tho  last  was  ono  of  tho  most  wicko<l  men  that  could  pos- 
sibly bo  aeon  ;  and,  as  is  usually  tlio  case,  only  these  trai- 
tors abused  their  position.'  Tho  commandant  would  not 
allow  Mr.  do  Champlain  to  leave  his  quarters,  permitting 
him  c\on  to  have  Mass  said  tluu-c.  Ho  carried  his  polite- 
ness so  far,  as  to  give  him  a  copy,  in  liis  own  handwriting, 
of  tho  inventory  ho  had  drawn  up  of  all  found  iu  tho  place 
when  he  entered.* 
Most  of  tlio  It  was  for  the  English  interest  to  retain  in  tho  country 
m?Un°i"  t'lio  ^^^  the  settlers  who  had  cleared  lands,  at  least  Kortk 
oouuiry.  tjiourtlit  so  ;  and  to  induce  thorn  to  remain,  ho  luado  them 
the  most  tempting  offers.  Ho  even  assured  them  that  if, 
after  remaining  a  year,  they  were  net  satisfied,  ho  would 
convoy  them  back  to  Franco.  As  his  conduct  had  greatly 
prepossessed  them  in  his  favor,  and  several  would  havo 
been  obliged  to  beg  their  bread  if  they  crossed  tho  sea, 
almost  all  concluded  to  remain ;  but  the  governor,  while 
giving  his  consent  to  this,  warned  them  that  if,  at  the  end 
of  a  year,  tho  king  did  not  retake  Canada,  they  would  do 
wrong  to  remain  any  longer  deprived  of  the  sacraments 


'  Patacln'S  o.'  forty  tons  •  rimm-    Creuxius,  Historia  Canndensig,  p.  29. 
plain,  p.  219.  ^  C'hamiilain,  p.  220. 

'  IIobort'B  house  was  also  protected:        *  lb.,  p.  221. 


IIISTOUV  OF  N1:VV   FUANCB. 


a 


ami  otluT  Hpiritiiiil  Hiu'cor,  iih  tlio  Hiilvutioii  of  tlioir  houIh 
bIkhiIiI  bo  lU'iircr  to  them  tliiiii  all  Dm  i)r()i)ort}'  i\wy  coulil 

pOSSt'HS,' 

All  tliiiii^H  lii'iiij^  llniH  (vrrani^'cd,  aiul  TlionmH  Kcrtk  Imv- 
inf{  joiiicj  lii.s  Inollit'i',  (.'liuiui)lHiii  sluileil  witli  liim,  on  llio 
2tth,  fi)r  TatlouHsac','  \vlu«ro  David,  tho  admiiiil,  had  pro- 
coL'dod  Hhoitly  before.  Om  thw  voyage,  victors  and  'an- 
quished  had  \vt'll-iii;^'h  (•haiij,'t'd  fortunes.  Emery  do  Ci'(!n, 
who  was  goiii^'  to  (Jiiebcc,  ij,'iioraiit  of  all  that  h  .d  ocenr- 
red,  met  the  .ship  of  Thoiiia.s  Kertk,  in  whieh  Chainplaiu 
was,  and  which  iiad  got  separated  from  tho  two  pataclica 
with  which  it  set  out.  He  attacked  it,  and  was  on  tlio 
point  of  carrying  it,  when  calling  out  "  (Quarter."  to  in- 
duce tho  Engli^li  to  surrender,  Tlionias  Kertk  took  thi.s 
word  in  an  opposite  sense,  and  cried  out,  on  his  sido, 
"  Good  cpiiuter."  At  these  words  tho  ardor  of  the  French 
relaxed.  De  Caen  ptncoiving  it,  wished  to  rally  them,  and 
pn'[)are(I  f  )r  ,i  last  otVort ;  but  Mr.  do  Chaniplaiu  appeared 
and  advised  him  to  profit  by  his  advantage  to  secure  good 
terms  before  the  i)atachca  camo  up,  which  had  crowded 
sail,  and  were  now  quite  near. 

Certainly,  had  all  the  Trench  done  their  duty,  tho  Eng- 
lish sliip  would  have  l.eiui  taken  before  assistance  arrived. 
Tlie  commander's  fear  ibovo  him  to  a  dastardly  step  ;  for 
he  threatened  to  kill  Mr.  de  Chaniplaiu  if  ho  did  not  sto^' 
the  action.  This  Champlain  did  not  do,  however,  till  time 
had  been  given  for  the  pataches  to  come  up.'  It  was,  in  fact, 
a  stratagem  to  enable  do  Caen  to  anticipate  their  arrival, 
for  h(3  woidd  have  made  short  work  of  tho  pataches  after 

'  (nmin|)luln,  p.  225.    Chaiuiilain  I'nrlu,  and  had  been  a  C(iloni«t  at 

nrtvis'd    iliu   Ilt'licrt   and   Couilliird  Port  Royiil,  thim  doubly  iduntifitjd 

rmiiilU.'H  to  ri'iiiidii  till  ut'lrr  liaivost.  with  rrcnch  I'oloiii/iition. 
They  Were  tho  only  t'liniilicH  of  Hitt-        ''  Cliaiuiiliiin,  j).  '-i'M. 
h'rs;   Kciation  (IH;.!^),  p.  8;  Pit'coH,        '  Clianiiilain,    Voyages,    pp.    228, 

etc.,  roliitit's  u  latoiiiirf  noiguuuriah',  229  ;  CrouxiuH,  llistoria  Cauadonaia, 

3T;J.    Any  othcTM  that  riniiilni'd  wcro  \i\>.   :!0,   31.     Sajrard   sayH  that  tho 

Bimpli)  i'nii)loyt!i8,  unloss  Aliraliani  Ilugat'nots  throw  down  thuir  arnu 

Miirtin's  liiiuily  was  tlioro.    l.oui.s  (Ilintoiro,  p.  O'.ti)) ;  but  doC'aen  seema 

li'jbLrt    WU8    ou   ajHithucary    I'roni  above  suspicion. 


1629. 


Kinory  da 
Ciii'M    Ik  til- 
km  I'y  llm 

Kli^linll. 


52 


HISTORY  OP  NEW  FRANCE. 


1629. 


A  French 

CiilviiiisU; 
the  oriiriim- 

tor  (if'tlio 
£n(;li!)li  cu- 

tcrprisa. 


taking  tlio  ship  ;  and  then  there  would  have  been  nothing 
to  prevent  the  French  from  returning  to  Quebec,  where 
Louis  Kertk  was  not  in  a  position  to  offer  any  resistance. 
Emery  de  Caen  acted  like  a  brave  man,  but  he  was  not 
seconded  by  his  crow,  composed,  apparently,  of  his  co- 
religionists, who  then  fought  reluctantly  against  tho  Eng- 
lish, on  account  of  the  siege  of  la  Eochclle. 

It  was  even  ascertained  later  that,  besides  the  four  trai- 
tors already  mentioned,  and  who  were  of  the  same  sect, 
one  named  James  Michel,  a  furious  Calviuist,  had  pre- 
sented memoirs  to  the  English  admiral  to  induce  him  to 
undertake  this  expnlition,  and  'he  traitor  Avas  actually  on 
the  sqviadrou  with  tho  title  of  rear-admiral.'  Those  who 
accuse  WnUam  do  Caen  of  having  also  betrayed  his 
country  on  this  occasion,  have  probably  formed  this  judg- 
ment only  because  they  beUeved  Michel  to  have  acted  by 
his  orders.  This  squadron,  moreover,  was  not  near  as 
strong  as  was  given  out.  It  was  composed  only  of  five  ves- 
sels, of  three  or  four  hundred  tons,  well  enough  supplied 
with  provisions  and  munitions,  but  with  a  small  force  of 
men.  If  Emery  de  Caen  had  arrived  a  week  sooner,  ho 
would  have  revictuallcd  Quebec,  and  Mr.  de  Champlain 
could  not  have  been  reduced  there.  David  Kertk  was  also 
fortunate  in  this,  that  peace  having  been  declared  between 
the  two  crowns  soon  after  his  departure  fi'om  England, 
tho  commander  do  FiazUh,  who  was  equipping  to  go  to  the 
relief  of  Now  France,*  received  counter  orders,  and  was 
dispatched  to  Morocco.  Tho  court  of  France  doubtless 
sup]>osed  that  Kertk  also  received  orders  not  to  proceed ; 
but  he  had  already  sailed,  a  fact  not  known  at  Paris. 

Meanwhile  that  admiral  would  not  return  to  England 
without  visiting  his  conquest.  Ho  accordingly  ascended  to 
Quebec,  and  on  his  return  to  Tadoussac  he  told  Champlain 
that  he  considered  the  position  of  the  town  admirable ; 


'  Chaniplnin,    VoyagoH,    p.    SoO ; 
Creuxius,  lliatoria  Cauttdouuis,  p.  33. 


'  riiumplain,  Voyages,  part  ii.,  pp. 
2;i0,  231. 


HISTORY  OK  NEW  FRANCE. 


53 


end. 


tli.it  if  rotiiincti  by  Engliincl  it  would  soon  ;ie  on  a  cliiTor-  1629. 
ent  foolinfjf,  aa  tlioy  would  turn  many  things  to  account 
which  tho  French  had  neglected  or  overlooked.  I  wiU  not 
enter  into  the  detail  of  what  then  pas,scd  ;  it  would  lead 
nie  too  far,  and  is  not  very  interesting.  The  admiral  was 
not  nearly  as  generous  as  his  brotlier  Louis,  and  even  the 
latter  did  not  maintain  his  character  to  tlio  end.  Cham- 
plain,  and  in  a  still  greater  degree  tho  Jesuits,  were  to  ex- 
perience much  ill  treatment  at  the  hands  of  both.' 

The  portidious  Michel  had  persuaded  them  that  those  nia  trngio 
relig'ous  were  very  rich  ;  but  the  English  wci'o  soon  Tin- 
deceived,  and  vented  some  of  their  disgust  on  tho  informer. 
Tho  three  brothers  were  indebted  to  him  for  the  whole  suc- 
cess of  this  campaign  and  the  previous  one  ;  they  were 
good  merchants  who  had  grown  rich  by  trade,  but  who 
kncAv  notliing  of  war.  Michel  was  a  naval  man  and  a  brave 
soldier.  In  tho  engagement  with  Mr.  do  Iloquemont  he 
had  saved  David  Kertk's  ship  from  being  grappled  by  that 
commjinder,  who  could  not  reply  to  his  broadsides,  but 
would  easily  have  carried  him  by  boarding ;  Michel  had, 
too,  served  as  guide  and  pilot  to  his  two  brothers,  who  did 
not  know  the  St.  Lawrence,  and  but  for  him  would  never 
liaAC  dared  to  enter  so  far. 

lint  whether  treason  inspires  with  a  kind  of  hoiTor  even 
those  who  profi.t  by  it ;  or  that  traitors  take  umbrage 
at  every  thing,  a  general  effect  of  remorse  of  conscience  ; 
or,  finally,  the  disappointment  of  the  English  on  seeing 
how  little  their  conquest  had  enriched  them  ;  or  disccateut 
on  the  part  of  the  renegade,  who  deemed  his  services  ill 
rewarded,  there  was  soon  more  than  a  coolness  between 
them.  He  was  oven  the  first  to  give  vent.  He  openly 
made  loud  complaints  of  the  EngUsli,  and  especially  of  the 
admiral.  He  declaimed  still  more  furiously  against  the 
Jesuits  and  men  of  St.  Malo  ;  and  his  violence  went  so  far, 
that  more  than  once  it  resulted  in  attacks  of  frenzy. 


!       I- 


'  Champlain,  part  ii.,  ch.  v. ;  Creuxius,  Hist.  Canadensis,  p.  35,  etc. 


HISTORY  OF  NEW   FINANCE. 


162 


Hid  trngio 
end. 


Chiimplain  sought  to  turn  the  wretched  msin's  feelings 
towards  tlie  English  to  his  good,  by  recalling  him  to  the 
faith  of  his  fathers  and  the  service  of  his  iing.  On  recov- 
ering fi-oni  his  frenzy,  Chaniplain  took  him  aside  and  used 
the  gentlest  language,  most  fitted  to  touch  a  heart  that 
was  not  hardened  beyond  all  redemption.  But  his  cup  of 
iniquity  Avas  full,  mid  God  no  longer  deferred  his  chastise- 
rnent.  His  fuiy  increasiul  to  such  a  point,  that  ho  could 
no  longer  bo  seen  or  heard  without  horror.  Ho  at  last 
fell  into  a  lethargic  swoon  which  lasted  thirty-five  hours, 
and  tiiese  past,  he  expired.'  All  military  honors  were  paid 
to  his  remains,  and  he  was  interred  with  all  the  ceremonies 
used  in  the  Protestant  churches  ;  but  the  funeral  over,  the 
English  only  thought  of  drinking  deeply,  and  they  never 
showed  more  hilai'ity. 

The  admiral  spent  the  rest  of  the  summer  in  careening 
his  ships,  Avhich  thi^y  greatly  needed.  He  set  sail  in  Sep- 
tember, and  on  the  20th  of  October  anchored  in  the 
port  of  Plymouth,  where  he  learned  that  the  differences 
between  the  two  crowns  were  settled."  He  was  not  una- 
ware of  it ;  and  it  is  even  asserted  that  he  had  absolute 
knowledge  of  it  before  the  capture  of  Quebec,  but  had 
deemed  that  he  might  pretend  ignorance.  He  had  been 
at  groat  expense  to  fit  out  his  vessels,  and  had  flattered 
himself  with  the  hope  of  finding  in  New  France  more  than 
would  be  needed  to  cover  his  outlay.  He  was  much  aston- 
ished to  see  himself  lord  only  of  a  rock  inhabited  by  a 
hundred  persons  exhausted  by  a  long  famine,  whom  he 
had  in  the  first  place  to  feed ;  a  warehouse  with  but  a 
small  stock  of  skins  ;  some  poorly  built  and  worse  furnished 
hoiises.  80  all  that  he  gained  by  his  want  of  good  faith 
was  his  own  ruin,  unrelieved  even  by  the  consolation  of 
laboring  for  the  prince  he  served.' 


'  Chnrnplain,  pp.  258,  262  ;  Croux- 
lus,  IliHtoria  C'aniuk'nsis,  p.  34. 
"  Chnniplain,  p.  2()(!.     TIio  Reool- 


ber  9,  1629:    Sagard,  Histoire  du 
Cnnnda,  p.  1001. 
'  Charlevoix  hero  leavcH  us  in  tho 
lecta    and    Jesuits    sailud    Septcm-    dark  aa  to  Chaniplain.    Kertk  car- 


HISTORY  OF  NEW  FRANCE. 


65 


The  court  of  Franco  was  at  fii'st  mticli  slioclccd  at  this  1629. 
invasion  of  tlio  English,  after  a  treaty  had  been  signed,  ^^'y"^ 
which  prevented  them  opposing  it ;  but  apart  from  reasons  Some  ad- 
of  honor,  many  doubted  Avhethor  there  had  b(;en  any  real  HskinZ'  tiio 
loss,  and  whothcr  it  was  worth  the  while  to  demand  the  of  y'li'eb'oo! 
restitution  of  Quebec.  Tlusy  represented  that  the  climate 
was  too  severe  ;  that  the  outlay  exceeded  the  return  ;  that 
the  kingdom  could  not  imdertake  to  settle  so  vast  a  coun- 
try, without  gi'oatly  weakening  its  own  strength.  More- 
over, said  they,  how  are  we  to  settle  it ;  and  what  use  will 
it  bo  if  we  do  settle  it?  The  East  Indies  and  BrazU 
have  depopulated  Portugal ;  Siiain  sees  many  of  its  prov- 
inces almost  deserted  since  the  conquest  of  America. 
Both  kingdoms  have,  indeed,  gained  wherewith  to  balance 
this  loss,  if  the  loss  of  men  can  be  balanced ;  but  in  the 
fifty  years  that  we  have  known  Canada,  what  have  we 
derived  from  it  ?  This  coimtry  can,  then,  be  of  no  use  to 
us,  or  wo  must  admit  that  the  French  are  not  suited  for 
founding  colonies.  Yet  we  have  thus  far  dispensed  with 
them,  and  even  the  Spaniards  would  perhaps  like  to  begin 
anew.  Who  but  knows  that  Charles  V.,  with  all  the  gold 
and  silver  which  Pent  and  Mexico  sujiplied,  never  could 
master  France,  and  often  beheld  his  enterprises  miscarry 
from  want  of  means  to  pay  his  troops  ;  while  his  rival, 
Francis  I.,  found  in  his  coli'ers  means  to  repair  his  losses 
and  cope  with  a  prince  whoso  em])ire  was  more  vast  than 
that  of  the  lirst  Ciesars  ?  Let  us  improve  France,  kci'p  her 
men,  profit  by  her  advantages  for  trade,  turn  to  account 


ricd  liim  to  England.  lie  arrived  at 
Plymouth  on  tlio  20th  OetobiT,  iind 
London  on  the  20tli  (Voyages,  cd. 
l(i:!3,  p.  2()tl).  At  I'lymoiith  he  heard 
of  th(!  peace  coueluded  at  Sui^e,  April 
24, 10'2!)  (Mem.deaCommis.,  ii.,  p.  1), 
and  wrote  to  induce  tlie  Frencli  to 
demand  the  restoration  of  Qiicliec, 
whi(  U  lie  claimed  nt  London  tlirouirh 
th(!  French  ambassador  (Cliamplain, 
Voyages,  p.  2U6).     It  would   sei'm 


that  ho  was  held  for  ransom  ("Con- 
cerning Capt.  Kerke's  French  pris- 
on," printed  in  I'Abeille,  vol.  x.,  No. 
10).  Sagard  says  the  religioas 
reached  Plymouth,  Oct.  18,  and  Ca- 
lais, Oct.  2'J.  Kirk,  in  a  petition  to 
the  lioard  of  Trade,  cbiimed  to  have 
taken  eightei  n  French  vessel.-s.  with 
one  hundred  and  thirty-five  cannon, 
going  to  the  relief  of  Port  Koyal  and 
Quel)ec  (Mem.  des  Com.,  ii.,  p.  275), 


56 


HISTOKY  OF  NEW  FRANCE. 


1629. 


Eeply  to 
tlicir  rea- 


tlie  iiulnstry  of  her  inhabitants,  and  we  shall  see  all  the 
wealth  of  Asia,  Afri'  and  the  Now  World  enter  onr  ports. 
To  this,  others  replied  that  the  climate  of  New  Franco 
moderated  as  the  country  was  explored  ;  that  this  could 
not  bo  doubted,  as  it  lay  in  the  same  latitude  as  the  most 
temperate  regions  of  Europe  ;  that  the  climate  is  healthy, 
the  soil  fertile  ;  that  with  moderate  toil,  all  the  comforts 
of  hfe  may  be  procured  ;  that  we  must  not  judge  Franco 
by  Spain  and  Portugal,  which  had  been  drained  of  men 
by  the  wars  of  the  Moors  and  their  expidsion,  before  the 
discovery  of  botii  Lidios,  and  which,  in  spite  of  this  loss, 
bad  imdertakcn  to  settle  immense  countries ;  that  we 
must  not  fall  into  the  same  faults,  but  send  to  America 
every  year  a  small  number  of  families  and  disbanded  sol- 
diers, with  girls  taken  from  the  hospitals,  and  settle  them 
so  that  they  may  extend  in  proportion  as  they  increase  ; 
that  experience  showed  French  women  to  be  fruitful  there ; 
that  children  are  brought  up  without  difficulty,  become 
robust,  well  made,  and  of  very  fine  blood  ;  that  the  cod- 
fishery  alone  was  enough  to  enrich  a  kmgdom,  required 
but  little  outlay,  and  was  an  excellent  school  to  train 
sailors,  but  to  derive  all  the  advantages  it  was  capable  of 
producing,  it  would  have  to  be  made  sedentary — that  is  to 
say,  employ  the  colonists  themselves  in  it  ;  that  furs 
might  also  become  an  important  object  of  trade,  if  care 
was  taken  not  to  exhaust  the  source  of  supj^ly  by  endeav- 
oring to  enrich  themselves  at  once.  The  forests  which 
covered  the  country,  and  are  undoubtedly  the  finest  in  the 
world,  could  be  turned  to  profit  in  building  ships.  Finally, 
that  the  sole  motive  of  preventing  the  English  becoming 
too  powerful  in  this  part  of  America,  by  joining  the  two 
shores  of  the  St.  Lawrence  to  the  many  provinces  where 
they  had  already  thriving  colonies,  was  enough  to  induce 
us  to  recover  Quebec  at  any  price.' 

'  Cliarlevoix  derives  these  discus-  shows  thnt  there  is  no  autliori'.y  for 
Bions  from  le  f 'Icrcq  (Etaljlissomcnt  them,  and  details  the  strps  tnkon  by 
de  la  Foi,  i.,  p.  419) ;  but  Mr.  Faillon    France  to  recover  Canada,  and  the 


I 


)' 


HISTORY  OP  NEW  FRANCE. 


57 


As  to  the  objection  that  we  had  made  but  little  progi'css 
ill  Canada,  after  so  many  years,  Chaini)lain  threw  the  fault 
on  the  private  associations  which  had  had  the  direction  of 
the  colony.  I  shall  give  his  own  words  without  any  addi- 
tion :  "While  an  association,  in  a  country  like  this,  holds  tho 
purse,  it  pays,  gives,  and  assists  whom  it  pleases.  Those 
who  command  for  his  majesty  gain  httlo  obedience,  having 
no  one  to  assist  except  by  tho  consent  of  the  Company's 
agents,  who  relish  nothing  as  little  as  those  placed  there  by 
the  king  (or  viceroys),as  not  depending  on  themselves, — not 
desiring  them  to  see  and  judge  what  they  do,  nor  their 
conduct  and  .••tiou  in  such  affairs ;  they  wish  to  draw  all  to 
themselves ;  are  careless  of  what  liai)pens,  provided  they 
profit  by  it.  Thej'  oppose  forts  and  fortresses,  except  when 
the  moment  of  need  comes,  and  then  there  is  no  time.  When 
I  spoke  to  them  of  fortifying,  they  thought  it  a  grievance. 
In  vain  I  showed  them  the  evil  consequences  that  might 
result ;  they  wore  deaf :  and  all  this  was  simply  fear  on 
their  part,  that,  if  a  fort  was  built,  they  would  bo  mas- 
tered, and  have  law  prescribed  to  them.  And  entertaining 
these  thoughts,  they  left  the  country  and  us  a  prey  to 
pirates  or  enemies.  I  wrote  enough  to  the  gentlemen  of 
tlie  council.  It  needed  some  one  to  give  orders,  which 
never  came  ;  and  if  his  majesty  had  only  left  trade  free  to 
the  associates,  to  have  their  stores  and  clerks,  while  the 
rest  of  the  men  should  be  in  the  full  power  of  the  king's 
lieutenant  in  the  country,  to  employ  them  as  ho  deemed 
necessary,  either  in  his  majesty's  service  or  in  fortifying  or 
clearing  the  ground,  so  as  to  avoid  famine,  Avhich  might  at 
any  time  ha^jpeu  if  any  thing  befell  the  shii)s, — if  this 
plan  were  adopted,  more  pro  "ess  and  advance  would  be 
Been  iu  ten  years  than  in  thirt}  oy  the  com-se  pursued.'" 

To  the  motives  of  policy  and  interest,  which  had  not 
persuaded  the  majority  of  the  council,  others  were  added 

Ciiuisi'  of  tho  dclny  in  its  rostorntion  :  '  Cliiun])lain,  Voyiigus  (ed.  1632), 
Histoiro  du  la  t'olouie  Frun(;aise,  p.  p.  11.  IIo  rtjl'i^rs  to  matturs  in  1031, 
235,  n.  and  not  to  tlio  time  of  the  capture. 


1629. 


Clinm- 

pluiii'a 
(ipiuion. 


"i 


!      I 


I 


68 


HISTOIIY  OP  NEW  FRANCE, 


1629.  which  decidecl  Louis  XIII.  not  to  abandon  Canada. 
''"*~Y-~-'  Tliose  wcro  motives  of  honor  and  religion  ;  and  no  one 
Canailtt  re-  gavo  them  greater  foreo  than  Cliamphiiu,  wlio  had  much 
yruiico.  piety,  and  van  a  patriotic  Frenchman.  Negotiations  wcro 
accordingly  begiin  to  recover  Quebec  from  the  hands  of 
the  English  ;'  and  to  give  life  to  the  negotiations,  six 
vessels  -were  fitted  out,  to  be  under  the  ordei's  of  the  Com- 
mander de  llazilly.  This  had  its  cflect.  The  court  of 
England,  at  the  instance  of  Lord  Montague,  restored,  with 
a  good  grace,  what  Franco  was  preparing  to  take  by  force. 
The  treaty  was  signed  at  St.  Germain-en-Laye,  March  29, 
1632,'  including  also  Acadia  and  the  island  of  Capo  Breton 
(now  called  He  Boyalo). 
The  oondi-  ^"^  settlement  on  that  island  was  not  much  of  an  affaia* : 
tion  of  New  ygt  tliis  post,  tlio  fort  of  Qucbcc,  surrounded  by  a  few 
wretched  houses  and  some  sheds  ;  two  or  three  cabins  on 
the  island  of  Montreal ;  as  many  perhaps  at  Tadoussac, 
and  at  some  other  points  on  the  lliver  St.  Lawrence,  to 
accommodate  fishers  and  traders ;  a  settlement  begim  at 
Three  Kivers,  and  the  ruins  of  Port  Royal ;  this  was  all 
that  constituted  New  France — the  sole  fi'uit  of  the  discov- 
eries of  Verrazani,  Jacques  Cartier,  Mr.  de  Eoberval, 
Champlaiu,  of  the  great  expenses  of  the  Marquis  do  la 
Eoche  and  Mr.  de  Monts,  and  of  the  industry  of  many 
Frenchmen,  who  might  have  built  up  a  great  colony  had 
they  been  well  directed. 


*  Champlain  endeavored  to  obtain 
a  restoration  through  the  Fnmch 
ambassador  at  London,  but  after  re- 
mainiiifif  six  weeks,  found  it  would 
be  a  tedious  matter.  He  accortlingly 
r(.'turn(!d  to  Franco  and  laid  the  mat- 
ter before  the  court.  Riclielieu,  in 
Nov.,  1029,  ordered  Mr.  de  Chateau- 
neuf  to  press  the  demand.  The 
Englisli  government  replied  that  it 
could  not,  then  restore  it.  France,  in 
return,  refused  to  restore  some  Eng- 
lish slii|).s;  and  Richelieu  wrote,  in 
December :  "  If  they  consent  to  the 


restitution  of  Quebec,  pure  and 
simple,  take  it ;  if  not,  it  is  better  to 
let  the  matter  drag  on."  In  April, 
101)0,  Cliateauneuf  was  assured  that 
all  should  bo  restored  :  Faillon,  His- 
toiro  de  la  Colonic  Frauijaise,  i.,  p. 
257,  n.,  and  authorities  cited. 

*  The  treaty  is  given  in  Memoires 
des  Commissaires,  ii.,  p.  5.  It  pur- 
ports to  give  back  and  restore  New 
France,  Acadia,  and  Canada.  Port 
Royal,  the  fort  of  (Juebeo,  and  Ca])e 
Rn'ton  are  mentioned  as  fortitied 
places  :  lb.,  p.  0. 


HISTORY  OF  NEW  FR.VNGB. 


69 


The  oaso  with  which  tlio  Eiighsh  roatorocl  Aoadia  to     1629. 
Franco,  came,  doubtless,  from  the  fact  tliat  they  had  as  ^— -r^~^ 
vet  taken  no  steps  to  settle  there,  as  well  as  from  its  dis-  „^^''y  t'i» 
tancc  from  New  En<'land,  where  it  was  most  important     ci<oteii 
to  fortify  themselves  before  thinking  of  new  enterprises. 
I  have  said,  indeed,  that  in  HVll  the  kiny  of  Great  liritain 
had  granted  to  William  Alexander,  earl  of  Stirling,  all  the 
countries  from  which  we  had  been  expelled  by  the  Eng- 
lish.'    It  is  also  true  that  the  next  year  that  nol)lemaii 
sent  to  his  newly  acquired  territories  an  officer  to  select  a 
suitable  [)laco  for  a  settlement ;  but  this  agent,  sailing  too 
late,  had  to  winter  in  Port  St.  John,  NewfouniUand.     Ho 
then  passed  over  to  Acadia ;  entered  Port  an  Mouton, 
changing   the   name   to   St.   Luke's   Bay  ;    then    entered 
another,   two   leagues   off,   which   ho   called  Fairport    or 
Black  Port.     He   did   not   stop   there,  but  returning  to 
Ki?wf()andland,  soon  after  sailed  to  England."     From  that 
time  the  Earl  of  Stirling,  for  reasons  unknown  to  me,  did 
nothing  to  turn  his  nol)le  domain  to  advantage." 


'  See  chnrtor,  Meinoires  dos  t'oin- 
missnircs  du  Hoy,  i.,  xxxiv.,  'i.,  p. 
l!)!i.  The  ]intci)t  wns  continuoil  by 
a  novodamus  on  July  12,  102.")  (ib., 
ii ,  1).  22'J). 
'  Do  Lart,  Xovus  Orliis,  pp.  01,  02, 
»  In  102S,  with  the  aid  of  David 
Kii'k,  ho  n.'ducod  Port  lioyal,  Sto. 
Croix,  and  Poutaj^oot  (Kiik  in  Mom. 
doH  t'oiiimiss.,  ii.,  p.  270  ;  Douchar, 
Memorial  ;  Haliburton.  ii.,  p.  4;?l 
II"  convi'Vod  part  of  this  to  tlie  older 
do  la  Tour  in  I'ioO,  but  Kii>;'hiud  rc- 
Btorod  Acadia  by  the  tnaty  of  St. 
Oorniain.  AVith  llio  capture  of  yue- 
boc,  wo  lose  as  a  jjiiide  Sajrard, 
whotio  Works  are  more  rich  in  ac- 
counts of  Indian  life  than  in  details 
as  to  the  colony.  Eniile  Chevalier 
gives  a  loig,  raiuhliiifr,  incorrect 
sketch  of  liim  in  the  late  Paris  edi- 
tiiin,  and  naively  su]iposo.s  that  For- 
laiid,  Oariioau.  and  other  writers  on 
this  side  the  Atlantic,  hud  never  read 


Sagard  at  all.  Chevalier,  while  he 
foils  to  give  one  single  item  for  Sa- 
gard's  biograpliy,  supixises  him  a 
priest;  but  Father  le  t'lercq,  in  his 
Premier  Etahlis-semont,  says  ex- 
prot^sly  that  he  was  a  lay-brother. 
He  was,  however,  evidently  a  man 
of  education,  observing  and  garru- 
lous. The  most  precious  part  of  his 
work  is  his  Huron  dictionary.  Char- 
levoix (see  vol.  L,  p.  78)  underrates 
Itti  value.  It  is  douV)tli'ss  im]ierfect 
and  inexact,  but  nevertheless  stands 
as  the  best  printed  vocabulary  of  tho 
lanfiuage;  although  Potier'sKacincs 
Ihirunnes  is  much  more  full  and 
philosophic.  Le  Clercq  never  cite.s 
Sagard  ;  and  si)eaking  of  the  Huron 
dictionary,  attributes  the  first  to 
Father  le  Caron  and  Father  Viol, 
and  says  that  Father  George  present- 
ed the  Huron,  as  well  as  Algomiuin 
and  Miintagnais  dictionaries,  to  the 
king,  in  1025. 


■'f 


Ui 


:t 


1 


1^/ 


B  0  O  K    V. 


1  f 
11 


W  ' 


HIHTOKY  OF  NKW  I'UANCE. 


BOOK    V. 

m  ono  of  tho  urliclos  of  tho  trinity  of  St.  Gormuin,    ,632-3 

which  re})lacod  Fruuco  in  possi'ssion  „f  C,i„iula,  uH  tho  - , '- 

eflbcts  fouu.l  lit  (^u^boc— luul  of  which,  as  wo  havo  hwu,  ^''"■^•'' 2»- 
ail  inventory  had  buen  drawn  up'— wero  to  ho  rostorod,  as' 
well  as  tiio  vossi'ls  taken  on  Ijoth  si(h'S.  willi  tlicir  cargoes, 
or  an  o(]nivalent ;  and  as  tlu!  Siours  do  (,'aen  wc^ro  chii'lly 
iutorestcd  in  tins  restitution,  Emery  do  Catiii  was  Hrst  sent 
ahjiio  to  Anicrioa,  to  lioar  tho  treaty  to  Louis  Kertk,  and 
re.iniro  its  cxec-ution.  The;  kin^'  even  d.'enied  it  proper  to 
Burronder  to  him  all  tho  trade  in  furs  for  one  year,  to  com- 
peusato  him  for  his  losses  during  tho  war.'  Hv  sailed  for 
Quebec  iu  April  of  tliis  same  year  (l(i;J2),  and  on  his 
arrival,  tho  English  goviunor  surrendered  to  him  the  place 
and  all  the  i)roperty  belonging  to  him.'  Xeveithel.,.ss,  all 
that  year  and  the  next,  tho  Enghsh  kept  up  tnnle  with  tho 
Indians;  and  it  eost  no  littlo  trouble  to  stoj)  this  tiallie, 
wliieh  was  evpressly  forbidden  the  subjects  of  tlu^  king  of 
Great  ]3ritain  by  the  treaty  of  St.  Germain.' 

In  10;);j  the  Company  of  New  France  rtsiinu  d  all  its 
rights  ;*  and  Acadia  was  granted  to  tho  Commander  do 
Razilly,  ono  of  its  chief  members,  on  condition  of  Ids 

'This    inventory    is     pven     in  etc.,  Mcrcuro  Franvnis,  xviii  ;  Creux- 

I'Abeillo,  X.,  No.  4.  ius,  IliKtoria  fanadcMsis,  p.  1(1,5  :  Le 

''  f'ifuxiu9,    Ilistoriii    Cnnndenais,  .Icuno,  lUlutioii  di'  h:  Xouv.  Fraucc 

p.  104  ;  Morcuiv  FranriuH,  xviii. ;  Lo  (1();!0),  p.  S  ;  Caiiuda  I^xMiniciits.  II., 

Jfuno,  Itclnticm  <lo  In  Xouv.  Fraiu-o  i.,  ji.  .')4. 

(1G;}2),    ]).    1;   Champlain,    Vcyages        ■•  AoUmIc  protfstatiun  faito  par  lo 

(ti<\.  UV.Vi).  p.  ;)0!l.  Capiteim^  Fernery  do  Caon,  Canada 

■■'  July  Ki :  Relation  du  Voyage  fait  Dooumcnta,  II.,  i.,  p.  ."iS. 
11  Cauttda  pour  la  prist;  do  possc.'^sion,        '  Helalion  do  !u  N,  F.  ( l(i;{;!),  p,  1. 


64 


IIISTOKV   (IK   Nl'.W    KIlANCi: 


CImrnotcr 

ot'tliu  llll- 

rciiiit. 


i6ij.  pliiiitiii^,'  II  colniiy  tluMT.'  llo  (lid,  in  fnct,  form  ii  Hiimll 
•-■••v-*^^  Hcttlciiiciit  at   I'ort  III  Haivc,  wlicic  it  was  so  easy  iiml  iiii- 

j^  ,l„     {lortaiit  to  inakd  onr,  tliiit  would  hooii,  with  Hiiiall  otitliiy, 

'''"'uinin"  «''"i'''"  that  gir.vt  iK'iiiuMiilii  to  yield  lar^'o  rt;turnH.'     'i'lio 

""I"""''"'   Hiiiim  voar,  INIr.  do  ('liainiiliiiii,  wlioiii  tic  Coiiipimv  had 

of  Nuw     piTscntt'd  to  the  kiiiL'  liy  virtiu'  of  thr  power  coiifeiTed  liy 
Fruiieu.      '  _  .  .  .  ,     -  , 

liiH  iiiajeHty,  wa>t  aj^aiii  iippoiiited  {^overiioi'  of  New  France," 

and  Ht)t  out  with  a  H<|uadron  wliieli  eairied  iiiuch  mon* 

than    all    then    in   Catuida  was   worth,  takin^^   with    him 

Fatli.  rn  lie    J5relieuf   inul    Eiiemoiid    ^liisse.       lie    found 

Beveral  of  the  oli'  settlers  there,     lie  iirou^dit  new  ones, 

nnd  exhorted  both  to  take  Icssoiis  from  tlu)  faults  that 

caused  tho  past  misfortunes.* 

His  first  view  was  to  bind  the  Huron  nation  to  liini,  and 

to  bej^'in  by  snbjeetinf^  it  to  the  yok(>  of  the  [gospel,  cou- 

vinced  tliat  there  is  no  bond  more  indissoluble  than  that 

of  religion.     Thus  far,  they  had  rather  ]n'opared  the  way 

for  the  establishment  of  C'hristianity  among  these  Indians, 

than  be^^nn  a  work  which  re([uiied  a  ^'reater  knowled;,'o 

than  had  hitherto  been  tic(|uiiiil  of  tlu'ir  hingini;:;e,  their 

customs,  their  belief,  and  national  character.     Tho  llocol- 

lect  Fathers,  dnriiif,'  their  stii}'  anionj^  them,  had  gained 

Home  to  Christ,  but  had  been  abli^  to  baptize  only  a  few. 

Fathers  do   JJn'benf   and  do  None  had  also  made  some 

proselyt<'s;  but  ( 'liristiiinity  had  not  yet  taken  root  among 

this  people,  which  did  not  seem  easy  to  convert.     Ncvor- 

thelosH,  men  flatttsrt'd  themselves  that  when  tho  Indians 

had  a  sonn^what  longer  intercourse  with  tho  missionaries, 

they  would  bcL'ome  moredoeilc*;  and  this  hopo  was  based  on 

'  Tlu'coiiiniiuidrr,  IsiiacildBazlU}',  lO.'B  :   Meraoircs  dos  Commissaircs, 

was  Bcnt  (lut  to  ri'ciuvi'  tho  cminlry  ii„  p.  401  ;  i.,  p.  44. 

In  the  nnmo  of  tlieCoiiiiumy  of  New  '■*  Dciivh:  Description  dps  ("otca  de 

Fruiu't' :  Ajirci'mcnt  Mar.  27,  \V\'<\'i  ;  rAnn'riiiuc   S('i>tintri(miilf,  |ip.  80, 

Cuiiiiilii    Iiiic,  II.,  i.,   p.  50  ;   ("liam-  04-1).    l.a  Ilrvr  wa.-<  in  his  brother's 

plain.  VoyiiLTi'S,  10;!~.  p.  ;>00.    He  was  grant:  Fcrland,  i.,  ]>.  2.*)5. 

inadi'liiutinant  general  for  tin;  king:  •'  Meiitenant  of  Cardinal  Hichelicu 

coniniitwiDn,    May   10,    10;J»,    V)'u.  and   Oeneral   of  tho    Fleet :    Merc. 

Tho  New  Franco  Company  granted  Fram;..  xix.,  p.  SI 7. 

him  the   St.  Croix   Hiv.r,   May  10,  M<olation  de  la  N.  F.,  1033,  p.  25. 


II18T0UY  OF   NKW   FUANCIi 


06 


tho   cliiiriu'tcr   of   thoir    Holiil,  judicious,   olcviitcd    mind,      ifM3- 
capiililo  of  rofl<'ctiiij»,  as  well  as  (»ii  tlio  fact  of  its  liiiii^'  tlio  "-^y— 
most  Htidoutary  and  laborious  of  all  tho  uatiou:i  yut  kuowu 
on  tliis  contiticut. 

IJut  to  I'xcc'utti  this  [»roj(H't,  a  ci'itain  numlKT  of  luhoirrs 
was  iKMidctl,  and  it  was  nocfHsary  to  put  tlicni  in  a  pDsition 
to  draw  tlu'ir  HubsiHtonre  from  sonio  othor  source  than  a 
country  which  had  no  littlo  dilliiiilty  in  Hni)|)ortin)^  its 
sottlorH.  Now,  this  was  not  »!asy  to  provido  lv>r.  'i'ho 
Company  had  been  induced  to  believe,  that  in  a  risiu)^ 
col(-  ,  mendicant  religious  would  bo  rather  a  burden 
than  a  sorvico  to  tho  settlers,  who  scarcely  had  tho  neces- 
saries of  life.  It  was,  therefore,  not  niinled  Ui  u'lid  back 
the  llecollix't  Fathers — at  llrst,  at  least ;  and  a  found 
means  to  uiduco  the  king's  eotuicil  to  adopt  its  reasoning.' 
For  tho  same  reason,  the  Jesuits  had  to  draw  from  Franco 
all  that  they  might  need  ■  and  there  was  a  fear  that  their 
past  losses  had  co<ded  the  zeal  of  those  who  had  hitherto 
contributi'd  most  to  expenses  that  proved  useless.  Hap- 
pily, theso  fears  proved  vain.  Almost  all  those  who  wore, 
iu  tho  outset,  interested  in  behalf  of  New  France,  felt 
bound  to  jmt  tlu!  Jesuits  not  only  in  a  position  indepen- 
dent of  the  settlers,  as  for  their  support  and  the  functions 
of  tho  ministry,  but  also  to  contribute  to  tho  st^ttlement  of 
tho  country ;  givuig  meanwhile,  however,  their  pri?icipal 
attention  to  the  instruction  of  tho  Frouch  and  tho  conver- 
sion of  the  Indians. 

Accordingly,  in  1032  (that  is  to  say,  immediately  -ifter 
tho  signing  of  tho  treaty  of  St.  Germain),  Fathers  Paul  lo 
Jeuuo  and  Anno  do  None  embarked  for  (Quebec."     They 


'  Charlevoix's    reasoning   is    un-  P^iillon,  in  Jiis  Ilistoiri'  de  la  C'olonie 

doul)ti'(lly  anli^^H,  a,-(  the  fiistott'iT  wns  ('iiiin(lieiine  (i.,  j).  v"^'-',  n.\  it  eii|iiit)lo 

niiule  ncitiier  to  liecullectn  nor  .lemi-  and    ini]iiirtiul    writer,   del'iiuls  llio 

its,  but  to  tluiOnimcliius.    See  Docu-  JesuitH  IVoiii  the  chnri,'e  of  liaviug 

meat  of  Cardinal  Uiihelieii  in  Mar-  exeluded  tlie  lieeolU'cts,  at  thin  time, 

tin,   lielatiou  Ahregre  de  Qiieltiues  from  tho  mission. 

MiSHions,  etc.,  par  le  P.  F.  J.  Bros-  '  Le  Jeune,  Uidution  de  la  Nouv. 

bani  (Montreal,   Ib.W),  p.  iiU5.     Mr.  Fruiice  (1U;!2),  p.  1. 

Vol,,  u.— ,-> 


66 


HISTORY  OP  NEW  FR^VNCE. 


1633- 


The  con- 
duct cif  tlio 

Knf;li.sli 

milk  '.^  tlio 

Indians  re- 

ftlX't  tlio 

i'rcucli. 


SucceBs  of 
the  first  la- 
bors of  the 
mission- 
aries. 


foixiul  the  few  proHolytes  previously  made  in  tlio  neighbor- 
hood of  that  city  no  longer  in  the  same  sentiments  as  at 
their  departure ;  but  it  recpiired  no  great  effort  to  regain 
them.  The  English,  during  tln,'ir  brief  rule  in  the  country, 
had  failed  to  gain  the  good-will  of  the  Indians.  Tho 
Hurons  did  not  a]>poar  at  Quebec  M'hilo  they  were  there.' 
The  others,  nearer  the  capital,  many  of  whom,  from  juivate 
dissatisfaction,  had  openly  declared  against  us  on  tho 
approach  of  tho  English  squadron,  showed  themselves 
very  selaom.  All  were  somewhat  disconcerted  when, 
on  attcanptnig  to  take  with  tho  new-comers  tho  liber- 
ties which  tho  French  made  no  diHiculty  in  permit- 
ting, they  perceived  that  this  manner  did  not  please 
them. 

It  was  mncli  worse  soon  after,  when  they  saw  them- 
selves driven  with  cudgels  from  houses  Mdtich  they  had 
prcAiously  entered  as  freely  as  they  did  their  own  cabins. 
They  accordingly  resolved  to  draw  off ;  and  nothing  sub- 
sequently bound  them  more  firmly  to  our  interest  than 
this  difierence  in  the  manner  and  character  of  tho  two 
nations  whom  they  had  seen  settle  in  the  neighborhood. 
The  missionaries,  who  Avero  soon  informed  of  the  im- 
pression thus  made  on  them,  wisely  profited  by  it 
to  gain  them  to  Christ  and  attach  them  to  the  French 
nation.' 

Fathers  Enemond  Masso  and  John  do  Brebeuf  arrived, 
as  I  have  akcady  said,  the  next  year,  with  Mr.  de 
Champlain  ;  and  in  less  than  fifteen  years  the  numl)er  of 
evangehcal  laborers  was  fifteen  priests,  without  counting 
throe  or  four  lay-brothers,  some  of  whom  were  devoted  to 
the  instruction  of  children.  Those  religious  rightly  deemed 
their  first  cai'o  duo  to  tho  Household  of  the  Faith  ;  and  as 
there  was  no  longer  any  mixture  of  creed  among  the  set- 
tlers, God  showered  d(  vn  on  their  labors  such  abundant 


I 


'  This  maj'  be  mi,  but  I  find  no        *  Relation  do  la  Nouvellc  Franco 
autlmrity  for  tho  statement.  (1(1311).  P-  'M,  etc. 


? 


IIISTOUY  OF  NEW  FK.VNCE. 

blessiuga,  that  iu  a  fow  months  a  groat  moral  improve- 
ment was  visible.' 

Tho  court  hud  given  positive  orders  to  prevent  any- 
Protestant  emigration  to  New  Franco,  or  the  exercise  of 
any  religion  but  tlio  CathoUc  there.  According  to  all  ap- 
pearances, liis  majesty  had  been  informed,  what  the  court 
had  apparently  been  ignorant  of  previously,  namely,  that  tho 
English  enterprise  against  Canada  resulted  from  the  in- 
trigues of  WilUam  do  Caen  or  tho  other  Calvinists  of  whom 
I  have  spoken  ;  and  experience,  on  more  than  one  occa- 
sion, had  taught  him  not  to  place  tho  Huguenots  too  near 
tlio  English  in  a  country  where  there  was  not  a  power  to 
iieep  them  in  their  duty  and  in  submission  to  lawful  au- 
thoi-ity.' 

Great  attention  even  had  boon  paid  to  the  selection  of 
ihoso  who  offered  to  go  and  colonize  New  France ;  and 
it  is  not  true  that  tho  young  women  sent  over,  from  time 
to  time,  to  marry  the  new  settlers,  were  taken  from 
suspicious  places,  as  some  iU-iuformed  travellers  have 
asserted  in  their  works."  Steps  wore  always  taken  to  be 
assured  of  tluiir  morality  before  they  embarked,  and  their 
conduct  in  Canada  i.s  a  proof  that  the  precaution  was  suc- 
cessful. In  a  short  time,  almost  all  who  composed  the 
new  colony  wore  scon  to  follow  tho  example  of  their  gov- 
ernor, and  make  an  open  and  sincere  profession  of  piety. 

The  same  attention  v,'as  continued  in  subsequent  years, 
and  there  soon  arose  in  this  part  of  America  a  generation 
of  true  Christians,  aiiiong  whom  reigned  tho  simplicity  of 
tho  primitive  ages  of  the  Cliurch,  and  wliose  posterity  have 
not  lost  sight  of  the  gi-eat  example  left  them  by  their 
ancestors.      Tho  consolation  which  such  a  change  afforded 


67 


1633- 


Protestants 

oxi'liiilej 

from  Cliiiia- 

Ja. 


'  Relations  do  la  Nouvollc  Franco  '  This  is  in  answer  to  a  charge 

(lfi;!:i-5).    Th(!  number  of  mission-  of  la  Ilontan  (vol.  i.,  p.  11).     Loufr 

arion  was  roaliy  sixteen.     See  list  iu  after  this  date,  a  girl  arriving  in  n 

Ciirayon,    Documents   Im'dits,  xiv.,  state  of  pregmmry,  w.is  sent  back 

P-  ^'1-  with   tlie   reiiiiirli,  that  sucli   ciittlo 

''  Morcure  Fnin(;aiB,  xiv.,  p.  2;J(i ;  were  not  wanted.     Ferland   (Nutea 

Eilitf^  ot  Ordonnanccs  Royaus,  p.  7.  sur  los  Registres  do  Notre-Dome  de 


JtidioiO',18 
choice  of 
setllers. 


68 


HISTORY   OF   NEW   FKANCB. 


1633- 


Charncfcr 

of  the  eiirly 

mission- 

arios. 


tlie  laborers  appointed  to  cultivate  this  transplanted  vine- 
yard, so  sweetened  the  crosses  of  the  most  painfnl  mission 
ever  perliaps  establislied  in  the  Now  World,  that  what 
they  wrote  to  their  hrethreu  in  France  created  among 
them  a  real  eagerness  to  go  and  share  their  labors. 

The  annual  Relations  which  we  have  of  these  happy 
times,  and  the  constant  tradition  preserved  in  the  country, 
both  attest  that  there  was  an  indescribable  miction  at- 
tached to  this  Indian  mission,  which  made  it  preferred  to 
many  others  infinitely  more  brilliant  and  even  more  fruit- 
ful. This  doubtless  arose  from  the  fact,  that  nature  find- 
ing nothing  tliero,  either  to  afford  the  comforts  of  life  or 
to  flatter  vanity — the  ordinary  shoal  of  brilliant  success, 
even  in  the  holiest  ministry — Grace  worked  without 
an  obstacle.  Moreover,  the  Lord,  who  never  allows 
himself  to  be  overcome  in  generosity,  communicated  him- 
self unreservedly  to  men  who  sacrificed  themselves  with- 
out reserve ;  who,  dead  to  all,  entirely  detached  from 
themselves  and  the  world,  possessed  their  souls  in  unal- 
terable peace,  find  were  perfectly  established  in  that  spir- 
itual childhood  which  Jesus  Christ  has  recommended  to 
his  tlisciples  as  their  most  distinctive  characteristic. 

This  is  the  portrait,  to  the  hfe,  of  the  first  missionaries 
of  New  France,  drawn  by  those  who  knew  them  closely, 
and  the  sequel  of  this  history  will  convince  those  least 
prepossessed  in  their  favor  that  it  is  not  too  highly  col- 
ored. I  knew  some  of  them  in  my  yoiith,  and  found  them 
as  I  have  just  depicted — bent  beneath  the  labors  of  a  long 
apostleship,  and  in  bodic  >  M^asted  by  hardship  and  broken 
with  age,  preserving  still  aU  the  vigor  of  the  apostolic 
sjiirit.  I  have  deemed  it  a  duty  to  render  them  here  the 
same  justice  as  was  universally  rendered  by  the  country. 

Among  the  nunib(U'  of  idolatrous  nations  which  opened 
to  the  missionaries  so  vast  a  field  I'or  the  exercise  of  their 


Qui'licc)  .T|i])i'iilM  to  the  iinrish  regis-    only  two  cawH  of  illi'^nliiimtc  l)irt.h. 
tiTs,  whii'li,  lii.'in  Kl'Jl  to  UiOO,  show    Seo  Boucliw,  Hist.  Vent.,  p.  155. 


•  ( 


niSTOUY  OP  NEW  FRANCE. 


69 


zoal,  nono  appeared  to  these  religious  to  doscrvo  thoiv  first 
attention  more  than  the  Huron.  Mr.  do  Chamjilain  had 
long  ])roj('ct('d  a  Rottlciiient  in  the  country  of  these  In- 
dians. He  revived  ihe  idea  when,  on  his  return  from 
France  in  1033,  he  foimd  no  li'ss  than  seven  hundred 
awaithig  him  at  Quebec'  He  imparted  his  design  to  them. 
They  all  applauded  it,  hut  when  he  least  expected  it, 
changed  their  minds.  It  is  perfectly  useless  to  ask  these 
savages  the  grounds  of  these  changes.  They  often  have 
none,  except  the  right,  to  which  they  profess  to  adhere,  of 
not  fettering  their  liberty  and  of  never  giving  an  irrevo- 
cable decision.' 

The  governor,  who  knew  them  well,  felt  bound,  never- 
theless, to  express  his  surprise  and  show  his  displeasure. 
He  tiven  spoke  to  tliem  as  a  man  who  felt  himself  no 
longer,  as  in  former  years,  in  a  position  to  be  offended 
with  impunity,  and  he  liad  reason  to  believe  that  he  had 
rendered  them  more  docile.  In  this  supposition,  he 
wished  to  act  with  hauteur  ;  and  in  concert  with  Father 
le  Jeune,  superior  of  the  mission,  he  made  all  prepara- 
tions for  the  voyage  of  Fathers  de  Brebeuf  and  do  None, 
who  had  bseu  appointed  to  accompany  these  Indians. 
The  latter  not  only  accepted  them,  but  a  jealousy  was 
even  observed  among  the  chiefs  of  the  different  villages 
as  to  which  should  possess  the  missionaries  f  but  an  un- 
foreseen accident  defeated  all  the  governor's  measures, 
and  he  saw  that  ho  had  evinced  too  much  eagerness  for  a 
thing  which  he  should  have  made  the  savages  de'sire. 

An  Algonquin  had  killed  a  Frenchman,  and  Mr.  do 
Cham[)Liin  held  this  murderer  in  prison,  firmly  resolved  to 
make  an  example  of  him.*  Ho  deemed  this  severity  the 
more  necessary,  as  it  was  believed  to  be  at  last  estab- 
lished that  the  Ilccollect  Father  Viel  was  not  drowned  as 


1634. 


SiHtloment 

nimiiii;  tlio 

IliiroMspro- 

jootuu. 


Chnmplain 

wishes  to 
obli>.'e  tliem 
to  tako  iiiis- 
sioiiaries  to 
tliLir  coun- 
try. 


Tliey  re- 

I'UBB. 


'  liO  Jcunp,  Relation  do  la  Nouv.    Crcuxius,  IlistoriaCnnndcnsifi.p.  1 19. 
France  i,Vhi'i),  p.  14.  '  Lo  Jeiino,  Relation  (1633),  p.  38. 

»  Relation     (1033),     pp.     3-1-43  ;        ■>  lb.,  p.  30. 


70 


UlSTOIiy   Oi<'   NEW    FltANCK. 


1634.  hiid  boon  supposed  at  first,  but  bad  boon  murdered 
^"""^'""^  by  his  Huron  guides  for  his  effects,  and  tliat  they  had 
thrown  liis  body  into  the  river  to  conceal  their  crime.' 
The  Indians  themselves  said  openly,  that  to  prevent  such 
crimes,  which  in  their  results  would  be  fatal  alike  to  them 
and  the  Froncli,  they  should  not  l)e  left  uupnnislied. 

Causic  of  I^iit  these  Indians,  after  having  thus  spoken  in  public 
thiB  reiusa!.  ^,j^|j  ^^^  the  equity  to  Ijo  expected  from  the  most  reason- 
able men  in  the  world,  quite  often  change  their  tone  when 
it  comes  to  execute  the  judgment  dictated  by  themselves, 
and  you  must  not  always  expect  them  to  cover  with  a 
plausible  pretext  their  inconsistent  condui '  The  Hurous 
on  this  occasion  did,  however.  The  day  of  tlieir  departure 
being  fixed  upon,  one  of  their  chiefs  declared  bluntly  that 
he  could  nf)t  take  any  missionary  or  even  any  Frentlmian 
in  his  canoes,  iinless  the  governor  first  set  at  iil)erty  the 
Algonquin  who  was inirons.  He  was  told  liint  he  had  him- 
self judged  him  deservhig  of  death.  "  I  a<:,reo,"  he  replied, 
"  that  it  is  right  to  })unish  an  assassin  ;  but  the  relatives, 
friends,  all  the  youth  of  this  man's  viiliige,  have  demanded 
him  back  from  us,  and  they  await  1  !•  at  the  passage,  in 
the  hope  that  we  will  restore  him  to  t'.eiv  handf.  If  their 
expectation  is  defeated  and  *•■■  5  per-;  iiC  any  Frenchmen 
among  us,  they  will  without  tA  fall  upoT'.  us,  and  we  can- 
not withdra"'  them  from  the  fury  of  the  trilie  Avithout 
beiug  iiiv(.i,..  il  in  a  combat  which  will  tr.rn  our  allies  into 
enemies.  We  >.,  mot  even  answer  for  the  result ;  and  what 
gricT  wo  siiall  feel  if  we  see  those  confided  to  our  care 
slaughtered  liefore  our  eyes  and  in  our  very  arms  !"" 
The  French  tried  in  vain  to  banish  the  real  or  pretended 

virtues  ot  fgj^^.g  Qf  tjjjg  i^f^Tx  •  they  eff(,'cted  nothing.  Li  vain  even 
other  chiefs  said  that  they  assumed  tlie  whole  affair  :  ho 
had  adopted  his  course,  and  he  declared  that  he  would 
allow  no  Frenchman  to  embark.  The  governor  no  longer 
doubted  but  that  he  acted  in  concert  with  the  Algonquins, 


Defects  and 

virtues  of 

the  Iluruu^, 


Le  Jinine,  Relation  (1634),  p.  93. 


'  lb.  (1633),  p.  40. 


IIISTOKY  OF  NEW  FHANCP:. 


71 


and  (Iceniing  it  unwise  to  rolcnt  in  rogartl  to  tlio  priHonor, 
and  imprudent  to  risk  a  sinf,'lo  Frenchman  Avith  people  so 
ill-disposed,  lie  iidvised  the  two  missionaries  to  defer  their 
voyage  to  another  opportunity.' 

The  conduct  of  this  Huron  chief  portrays  veil  the  char- 
acter of  this  nation,  the  ablest  of  aU  in  Canada,  but 
against  whom  wo  must  always  be  most  on  our  guard.  They 
carry  dissimulation  to  an  excess  not  easily  belit'ved  if  it 
had  not  been  experienced.  This  trait  had  contributed  to 
make  it  feared  and  respected  by  other  Indians,  as  much  aa 
its  industry,  its  readiness  in  expedit'nts  and  resources,  its 
eloquence  and  bravery.  In  one  word,  it  is  of  all  the  coi' 
tinent  the  nation  distinguished  .','niost  defects  and  niosr. 
good  qualities. 

Champlain  calls  the  Hurons  OeJidstegxim,^  and  con- 
founds them  with  the  Iroquois,''  whom  ho  doul)tless  su])- 
posed  to  form  only  one  natioa  with  them,  on  account  of 
the  conformity  which  he  had  remarked  between  tho  lan- 
guage of  the  two.*  Ho  may,  too,  have  heard  them  callec'' 
Ochasteguins  by  some  other  Indians.  But  their  >eal 
name  is  Yendat."  The  word  Huron  comes  ft-om  the 
French,  who  seeing  these  Indians  witli  tlie  hair  cut  very 
short,  and  standing  up  in  a  strange  fashion,  givi?>g  them 
a  fearful  air,  cried  out,  the  lirst  time  they  saw  them,  Quelle 
h lives. '  (Wiiat  Ijoars'  heads!)  and  so  got  to  call  thorn 
Hurous." 

If  we  believe  their  oldest  traditions,  this  nation  in  i^^a 
first  origin  was  composed  of  two  <   wus  only,'  which  a-* 


1634. 


Origin  of 
tliis  uution. 


'  Le  Jeune,  Relation,  p.  42. 

'  From  a  chkff  of  thiil  niiiiie  :  Voy. 
(Lav.  ed.  l(!i;!\  p.  Ui9;  10;W,  p.  1:!4; 

'  He  calls  them  ponil  Inx^uois. 

■•  Ik'  spcmn  to  linve  clistinguiBlicd 
clearly  the  Oihaptc^^uins  or  Hurons 
(ed.  KWS,  p.  1  !1),  seventei-n  villages  ; 
Tiouontntos  f.r  J'etuns,  the  Neuters, 
the  .\ntouh()rorons,  fil'teen  villages ; 
the  Irofjuois  and  the  Carantouanis, 
aiii)arently  the  Susquehannas 


'  M  int  for  Wendat.  Sagard, 
in  iictionary    (Verb.    Nation), 

gives  llouandate  (Ui.'lation  de  la 
Nonv.lic  France,  10;!!),  11,  50).  Wy- 
anil  iu  our  Englinli  writers,  though 
till  tribe  now  culled  \Vyandotn  are 
'J'ianontates  or  I'etuna  (.His- 
■;  i  Magazine,  v.,  ]h  id'i). 

«  H.  Lalemant,  in  Relation  (1039), 
p.  51. 

'  Two  tribes,  the  Attignnv.'antau 


72 


UISTOUY  OF  NEW  tliANCE. 


1634.  time  (lividi'd  into  fnxr,  or  iuloiitod  two  otliors  ;'  for  the  old 
"">'""'  luoii  wLom  tlio  missiouiirioH  quostioned  on  tliis  point  did 
not  .agree  amoupr  themselves.  The  adoption  of  various 
neighboring  nations  made  these  four  tribes  more  powor- 
fiil  than  all  other  nations,  by  their  care  to  keep  always 
united  in  one  body.  This  the  Algonquius  n(>gleetod  to 
do,  who  were  oiiginally  nmeh  more  numerous  than  the 
Hurons  ;  for  although  the  tribes  adopted  by  the  latter 
always  preserved  tlu'ir  primitive  names,  they  also  took 
the  generie  name,  whieh  was  that  of  the  original  two,  au<l 
spoke  the  same  language,  with  some  inconsiderable  differ- 
ences. Yet  some  give  themselves  '  ae  name  of  Outaouon- 
oui's, — that  is  to  say,  those  who  speak  the  best  language' 
This  uniformity  of  languagi;  would  even  lead  us  to  infer 
tli;it  the  confederation  or  adoption  of  these  tribes  liad 
only  recalled  them  to  their  primitive  stock ;  Avhile  tho 
Iroquois  and  Audastouez,'  who  are  certainly  of  tho  samo 
stock,  having  never  united  after  their  separation,  have 
also  nnich  more  altered  their  languages,  which  are  evi- 
dently Huron  dialects,  as  I  have  elsewhere  remarked.*  I 
have  also  s^-jken  in  the  same  place  of  the  division  not 
only  of  the  whole  nation,  but  also  of  each  canton  or  town, 
into  three  principal  famiUes;'  I  content  myself  Avith  re- 


niid  the  Atti};nt'oniini;U!ilmo,  calling 
each  otlit-r  biothiT  uiid  sister.  11. 
Lulomant,  lUilatiou  do  lu  Nouvt'llu 
Franco  (16:!U). 

'  The  two  aii(j]itiJ  wcro  tlio  Ari'n- 
(liiU  (^pMioiis)  and  Toliontaonrat  (11. 
Laleniant,  Helation,  UioD) ;  Sagard 
mentions  only  tho  former  triho 
(Grand  Voyajro  du  pays  dcs  llarons, 
J).  115),  and  cullt."  thoni  Enarhnnim, 
or  IJcnarhouon  (Dictionnairc,  Vcrbo 
Nation). 

-  This  ('xi)rcssion  Onkwo  Ilonwe, 
is  also  used  by  tho  Iroqunis,  and 
miuins  trill',  men.  C\mi,  Etudes 
l'bilol()gi(iui's  sur  (luohiuos  Languea 
Sauvngos,  Mnnlroiil,  18(i(),  p.  13. 

^  The  Andastoncz  (Audaato,o,  In 


tho  Huron  Holations,  and  Gandasto 
guo  iu  tho  lator  Irociuois  Kolations, 
wlu'ri!  tho  Iroijuois  dialoct  is  usod 
ti'lvint,'  tho  guttural  as  ;/)  wore  so 
onllod  from  niidasta,  a  roof-iiole. 
Honce  Crouxiua,  ou  his  map,  calls 
tlioni  Natio  i'orticaruni.  and  places 
them  on  the  Suscpiohanna.  Thoy 
woro  till'  Suscjuohannas,  known  also 
as  Mimiuas  and  Coucsto^ois.  (Soo 
Historical  .Mapi/.iuo,  vol.  ii.,  p.  304). 
('am|)aiiius  has  iircs.'rvcd  a  vocabu- 
lary in  his  Nya  Sverigo  (Stockholm, 
17031.  p.  ISO. 

■•  Charlevoix,  .Journal,  p.  ISO. 

■i  The  fullest  discussion  of  these 
families  is  in  Jlorgan,  League  of 
tho  Iroipiois  (Kochestor,  lySl.) 


I  •  t 


UISTOllY  OF  NEW  FRANCE. 


T.i 


mai'kiug  hero,  that  tho  uniformity  on  tliiis  point  wliicli 
provailoil  tliroughout  the  whole  nation,  and  those  sprung 
from  it,  at  tho  time  of  tho  discovery  of  Canada,  is  a  proof 
that  if  the  three  families  are  not  branches  of  the  same  stem, 
their  union  is  at  least  of  very  high  antiquity,  and  dates 
anterior  to  the  separation  of  the  Irocpiois  and  Hurons. 

The  country  occupied  by  tho  Hurons  at  the  beginning 
of  tho  last  century,  had  Lake  Erie  on  the  south,  Lake 
Huron  on  tho  Avest,  and  Lake  Ontario  on  the  east.  It  is 
situated  between  the  forty-second  and  forty-fifth  degrees 
of  north  latitude.'  Tliere  was  quitch  a  number  of  towns, 
and  the  whole  nation  comi)rised  from  forty  to  fifty  thou- 
sand souls,  although  even  then  greatly  diminished  by  its 
wars  with  the  Iroquois.  This  country  is  nf)t,  generally 
speaking,  the  most  fertile  in  all  New  France,  but  there 
are  districts  extremely  so ;  and  if  it  was  suihciently  peo- 
pled, as  our  best  provinces  are,  it  would  easilj^,  if  well  cul- 
tivated, support  all  the  inhabitants.  Moreover,  the  air 
there  is  very  healthy.  TVe  long  kept  quite  a  number  of 
Frenchmen  there,  who  suffered  much  from  hunger  and 
other  hardships  incident  to  war,  but  not  one  died  of  dis- 
ease, and  very  few  in  fact  were  sick. 

There  are  extensive  prairies  there  which  would  bear 
wheat  and  all  other  grahis  that  might  be  sowed ;  the 
forests  are  full  of  very  fine  trees,  especially  cedars  of  pro- 
digious siz;(>,  and  higli  in  proportion.  The  country  is  well 
irrigated,  and  the  water  is  very  good.  There  are  stones 
there,  it  is  said,  that  melt  like  metal,  and  have  some  veins 
of  silver ;  but  I  do  not  know  how  much  credit  is  to  be 
given  to  what  we  read  in  some  llelatious  about  two  sin- 


1634. 


Kxtcnt  nnd 

nutiirc  of 

tliu  Iliirou 

couiitr)'. 


'  This  iH  too  pTPiit  nn  extent  fur  tlio 
IIuiDii  country,  Sajjiinl  ((iriind  V%)y- 
age,  p.  U;i)  ami  Krcssani  iBrcvc  Ko- 
latione,  p.  o)  put  it  44J"  N.  In  tho 
Ruliition  of  1(131)  (p.  50)  Fatlior  Je- 
rome Lalemaut  puts  it  at  45^°,  and 
says  tliul  tlieir  country  was  twenty 
or  twenty-five  leiigues  long  by  seven 


or  eii^ht  wide.  Brebeuf  (Relation, 
111;!'),  p.  ;(:!)  says  :  "  It  is  not  larj^o ; 
itH  longeKt  extent  may  l)e  traversed 
in  three  or  four  days.  "  Du  Creux, 
in  his  niiip,  locates  it  exactly.  Fa- 
ther Martin  and  Mr.  Taehe  have  ex- 
ph)red  it  iii'curately,  and  identified 
most  of  the  villagi"  sites. 


u 


HISTOUY   OF  NEW   FRANCR 


1634. 


Clmm- 
pldin's  rea- 
sons fur 
Iiluntiiig  a 

colony 
amon^  tiio 

Iluron^i. 


And  tho 

inissionii- 

riea  to  nuiko 

it  tlio  centre 

ol'tlicir  niis- 

bionH. 


giilar  aijmals  pocxiliar  to  tliis  country  and  not  fonnil  clao- 
Avlioro.  Ouo  is  a  bird  tliat  mews  liko  a  cat ;  tlio  other  a 
kind  of  liaro  that  siiij^'S  hko  a  bird,  and  lias  a  very  delicato 
flesh.' 

Cliamplain  had  for  several  reasons  wished  missionaries 
to  accompany  tlio  Hurons  to  tlieir  towns.  Ho  believtsd 
those  Indians  better  frtted  than  tho  rest  to  accredit 
Christianity.  By  missions  ho  wished  to  prepare  the  way 
for  a  settlement,  which  ho  projected  in  their  country, 
situated  very  advantageously  for  trade,  and  from  which  it 
would  be  very  easy,  by  means  of  the  lakes,  that  almost 
encircle  it,  to  continue  exploration  to  the  extremity  of 
North  America.  It  was,  finally,  easy  to  bind  closely  to 
the  French  a  nation  from  whom  wo  had  apparently  much 
to  fear  and  to  hojie  in  the  consolidation  and  progress  of 
the  French  colony.  No  project  could  bo  more  wise.  The 
misfortune  of  Now  France  was,  that  its  founder  was  taken 
away  at  tho  very  time  when  it  most  needed  his  experi- 
ence, and  that  his  successors  either  did  not  enter  into  his 
views,  or  were  not  in  a  position  to  carry  them  out,  nor 
consequently  enable  the  Huron  nation  to  regain,  while  it 
was  yet  time,  that  superiority  in  arms  which  the  Iroquois 
had  already  begun  to  acquire  over  them. 

Tho  missionaries,  on  their  side,  were  persuaded  that  by 
fixing  the  centre  of  their  mission  in  a  country  which  was 
at  tho  same  time  tho  centre  of  Canada,  it  woidd  bo  easy 
for  them  to  bear  the  light  of  the  gospel  to  all  parts  of  this 
vast  continent ;  and  nothing  Avould  have  prevented  the 
execution  of  this  project,  if  Champlain's  plan  had 
always  been  followed.  Several  nations  had  already 
begim  to  trade  with  us,  tho  Montagnez  below  Quebec, 
the  Algonquins  above,  in  the  neighborhood,  and  in  an 
island  formed  by  the  great  Ottawa  river  above  Montreal ; 
and  the  rest,  under  tho  nauio  of  Nipissings  or  Nipis- 


'  15ri>8aiii,  ]>■  7;  Ri'lation  (10:U),  va.r),  or  more  {in>balily  the  prairie 
p.  30.  Till'  catbird  {innhm  fdirox)  squirrrl  {fjhriK  >(ihiliin  FranldiiiU). 
ami  the  wooi'.cliuck   {;tiyti»i(!jn   mo-    Patent  I{c;iort,  lfs."i('>,  Agric,  p.  !r'0. 


lUSTOUV   OF   NICVV    l-'lUNOE. 


76 


siriuious,  aroutid  a  lal^o  of  the  fiame  name  ;  and  finally, 
tlio  Ottawas,  who  wore  Hcattored  at  various  points  alnnj^' 
tho  river,  of  which  they  claimiMl  to  bo  al isolate  masters, 
to  such  an  extent  that  the}-  had  established  a  toll  on  all 
canoes  ascendinj^  or  descending. 

It  only  remained  to  gain  the  Iroquois,  and  tho  point 
was  of  infinite^  importance.  Success  would  have  bt!en 
comparatively  easy,  if,  at  first,  these  Indians  had  seen  ua 
strong  (inough  to  impose  the  law  upon  them,  or  at  least 
turn  tho  scale  in  favor  of  their  antagonists,  who  were  our 
allies.  A  thousand  men  maintain(>d  in  the  Huron  coun- 
try, M'itli  three  or  four  forts,  would  have  been  enough  ;  but 
the  necessity  was  not  perceived  till  it  was  too  late.'  Tho 
opportunity  of  bringing  the  Iroquois  to  terms,  and  per- 
ha})S  binding  them  to  lis  forever,  was  all  the  l)etter  then, 
as  they  had  not  yet  had  any  intercourse  with  the  Dutch 
settled  near  them,"  and  our  allies  were  well  disposed  to 
unite  in  a  last  efifort  against  them. 

The  ]n"esent  object  was  to  introduce  missionaries  among 
the  Hurons,  and  those  appointed  to  begin  this  good  work 
impatiently  waited  tho  return  of  some  Indians  who  had 
promised  to  come  for  them.  They  arrived  at  last,  but  so 
few  in  number  and  so  badly  equipped  that  it  was  very 
evident  that  they  did  not  intend  to  keep  their  word. 
They  did  not  omit,  however,  to  betoken  great  good-will  at 
first ;  but,  when  asked  to  fulfil  tho  promise,  they  excusinl 
themselves  on  the  ground  of  their  being  so  fatigued  with 
their  voyage  that  they  would  scarcely  have  strength  to 
carry  back  their  canoes  empty. 


i6j4. 


Fatliors  de 

Urchinif 

nii'J  DiinicI 

re;ioli  their 

country. 


'  Cliivrlevoix  speaks  of  this  as  an 
easy  matter ;  but  a  simpler  way 
tiian  his  largo  force  and  forts  in  tho 
Huron  country  would  liavc  been  for 
I'ranco  to  talco  ix)88i'gsion  of  New 
Nothorland,  as  tlio  English  sulwc- 
quently  (lid.  The  Trotiuois,  tlien  (!(,■- 
]'on'ii'nt  on  the  French  for  traiio, 
wo.iki  have  to  make  terms.    Canada, 


a  long  valley,  presenting  to  a  foe 
a  weak  flank,  easily  pierced,  can 
never  be  strong.  The  potisessiou  of 
New  York  was  essential. 

''  The  first  treaty  between  tho 
Dutch  and  Mohawks,  at  Nomian's 
Kill,  was  in  161H  (OTalliiglian,  Now 
Netlierliind,  i.,  p.  7H  .  The  Mohawks 
obtained  firearms  as  early  as  1621. 


70 


IlISTOUY   OF  NEW   i'ltANlK. 


1634.         Tt  was  in  viiin  tlml  tlio  Fiithors  roniovcd  tliis  (lidiciiUy 
^^'v-^   by  otlt'riii;^'  to  oinlmik  with  jio  lugj^iino  but  simply  tluir 
chiipi)!  Hoivico,  ami  to  Iitli)  tliciii  padillo  ;  for  uotiiiiig  puts 
raon  allogiiig  n  fulso  niotivo  to  couccal  ill-will  in  worso 
luiraor,  than  a  roasonablo  proponition  to  which  thoro  is  uo 
reply.     Tho  FTurons  ut  lust  oviuood  thoir  unfrii'iidliiioss  by 
a  I'oruial  stubboni  icl'iisid.     It  was  ouly  by  diut  of  i)ui'Hua- 
Bions  uud  piosouts,  mudo  with  moro  zoal  than  i)ruJonoe, 
that  they  woro  induced  to  conHout  to  givo  a  place  in  their 
cauoos  to  Fathers  do  Brebeuf  aud  Daniel  and  theii'  serv- 
ant.    Father  Davost,  who  was  to  accompany  thorn,  was 
forced  to  await  another  oppurtuuity.' 
Ffttiior  Pn-      i{o  did  uot  Wait  long  :  throo  cauoos  of  Hurona  having 
thorn.  "tiiViv  come  to  Three  llivers  a  few  days  later,  he  was  taken  on 
on'theway.  tbo  temis  oflered  by  himself  and  the  other  two  Fathers, 
and  these  Indians  took  goijd  care  that  they  were  strictly 
fulfilled.     Two  Freuchjueu  embarked  with  Father  Davost,' 
and  at  tho  end  of  August  reached  their  jouruey's  end, 
where  they  found  tho  two  lirst  Jesuits,  wlu<  had  arrived 
Aug.  5.     three  weeks  before,  but  in  a  wretched  plight.     The  surly 
humor  of  their  conductors  had  been  augmented  by  sick- 
ness, which  broke  out  among  them  on  the  route,  and  it 
subjected  them  to  many  unpleasant  moments.     They  were 
even  more  than  once  iu  danger  of  being  killed,  or  loft 
■without  food  or  guide  in  totally  deserted  spots. 

Nor  did  tlie  Hurons  show  any  indulgence  in  exacting 
tho  promise  to  paddle, — a  very  painful  exercise,  when  kept 
up  long  by  one  unaccustomed  to  it.  Finally,  one  of  them 
lost  part  of  his  baggage,  which  was  stolon.'  Tho  Hurons 
had  already,  in  the  minds  of  the  French,  a  reputation  as 
bold  aud  adroit  thieves.  They  are  not  alone  now ;  aud  oven 
among  those  in  whom  you  find  most  disinterestedness  and 


•  Relation  de  la  Nouvelle  France  (1034),  p.  90  ;  Kelation  (1035),  p.  25  ; 

(103-J),  pp.  8^,  8U  ;  Brcbcuf,  Uolation  Creuxius,  p.  158. 

(10;J5),   p.   34  ;    Cri'uxius,    Ilistoria  =  Relation  de  la  Nouvelle  Franco 

Cauiidcnsis,  p.  158.  (10o5),  pp.  25.  20  ;  C'rouxius,  HiBtoria 

'■'  KoliiiiDii  de  In  Nnuvt'llo  Franco  Canadunsis,  iij).  100-2. 


!-•    I 


rilSroUY  OF  new   FUANCIi 

fidolity,  you  ninst  iiluays  oxoopt  oatablos, — too  tfiiiptiii}?  an 
object  for  tho  evor  hungry  Hiiviigo,  nccustoinocl  to  viow  as 
ootiiinoii  property  wluitovor  is  necoHsary  for  life.' 

Tlirse  preliiainivries  wero  not,  it  would  Hcrm,  such  as  to 
uugur  well  for  the  Huccess  of  tho  nusisioniiries'  undertaking. 
These  religious  were,  nevertheless,  regarded  quite  favor- 
al)ly  iu  tho  towns  wliich  they  visited  ;  but  this  did  not  pre- 
vent them,  iu  the  midst  of  a  ca[)riei()us  and  ferocious 
people,  without  support  or  resource,  and  according  to  tho 
expression  of  Christ,  like  sheep  amid  wolves,  from  having 
much  to  sutler,  and  being  in  almost  constant  danger  of 
their  lives.  Ihit  to  apostolic  men  these  are  but  the  assured 
pledges  of  an  abundant  harvest,  and,  full  of  confidence  iu 
the  promises  of  the  Lord  of  tho  vineyard,  they  thought 
only  of  putting  their  hands  to  tho  work.  Taking  up 
their  residence  in  a  town  called  Ihouhatiri,'  they  began  by 
erecting  a  little  chapel,  which  tlusy  dedicated  to  St.  Jos(>ph, 
and  ev(!n  gave  tl   '  town  the  nami;  of  that  holy  patriarch. 

The  fruit  of  their  labors  during  tlu^  first  year  was  not 
very  great — they  were  confined  to  tho  baptism  of  five  or 
six  adults  ;'  but  they  were  consoled  by  the  happiness  which 
they  had  in  assuring  tho  el  inal  salvation  of  a  groat 
number  of  children,  who  expired  almost  immediately  after 
receiving  tho  robo  of  justice.  Tho  dilliculty  oxpm'iLUced 
by  these  missif)naries  in  converting  the  Hurons  did  not 
flow  from  their  difiiculty  in  obtaining  a  hearing,  or  even 
an  admission  that  tho  Christian  religion  was  based  ou 
reason.  In  fact,  a  savago  must  not  be  regarded  as  con- 
vinced as  soon  as  he  socms  to  approve  tho  statements 
made  him,  because  iu  general  they  dis  .^e  nothing  so  much 
as  disputes ;  and  sometimes,  from  mere  complacency,  some- 
times from  some  interested  motive,  more  frequently  from 
indolence  and  sloth,  they  give  every  mark  of  perfect  con- 


77 


''>3S' 


Fir-t  por- 
iimriurit 

iiMKMi^  tlie 
UuruuH. 


Auguat  6. 


Obstaoles  to 

Uio  convor- 

bion  of  llie 

IiiJiuiis. 


'  Sngnrd,  Histoiro  du  Canailn,  p.  30;  Crenxius,  Hist.  Cnnad.,  pp.  168, 

409;     Hrcbciit',    Hilation    (lOUfl),  p.  Ki:).    Carngoulia  ot'Chaiiiiiluiu,  Voy. 

120  ;  Brcssani,  liruvu  lirhi,,  p.  la.  lUlO.     (Kd.  Lavtnliric,  p.  ^8.) 

Mlioiiutiriu,    Uoliitiiiii    (10^5),   p         '  UeliiliDii  (Kj:!.")),  pii.  oT,  U8. 


IMAGE  EVALUATION 
TEST  TARGET  (MT-3) 


/. 


1.0    ^^  I 


I.I 


11.25 


2.5 


ui  122 


12.2 


2.0 


I 

m 


1.4 


-    6" 


^^ 


V/y 


^l 


■>  > 


o;^ 


/A 


Photographic 

Sciences 
Corporation 


33  WEST  MAIN  STREET 

WEBSTER,  N.Y.  14980 

(716)  872-4503 


V 


V 


v 


^^ 


:\ 


\ 


o^ 


78 


U18T0KY  OF  NEW  FUANCB. 


1635.  viction  in  matters  which  thoy  have  not  paid  tho  slightest 
attention  to,  or  in  fact  luiderstood. 

Thoy  liavo  been  seen  to  frequent  our  chnrclies  for  years 
with  an  assidnity,  modesty,  exterior  n^veronce,  and  every 
mark  of  sincere  desire  to  know  and  embrace  tho  tnith ; 
then  draw  o£f,  saying  coldly  to  tho  missionary,  flattered 
with  tho  hope  of  soon  begetting  them  in  Christ :  "  Thou 
hadst  no  one  to  pray  with  tht-e.  I  took  pity  on  thy  lone- 
liness, and  wished  to  keep  thee  company  :  now  that  others 
are  inclined  to  render  thee  tho  saiae  service,  I  retire." 
This  instance  I  heard  from  a  missionary  to  whom  it  had 
happened  at  Michilliniakinac,  I  have  even  read  some- 
where that  some  carried  dissimulation  or  complacency  so 
far  as  to  ask  and  receive  baptism,  and  fulfil  for  a  time, 
with  edification,  all  the  duties  of  Christianity ;  then  declare 
that  they  had  done  so  only  to  jileaso  the  missionary,  who 
had  pressed  ihem  to  change  their  religion. 

On  the  other  hand,  the  refusal  of  these  barbarians  to  sub- 
mit to  the  truths  announced  to  them,  is  not  always  a  proof 
that  they  are  not  convinced.  Some  have  been  met  who 
had  no  doubt  left  as  to  the  most  incomprehensible  articles 
of  our  faith,  and  who  pubUcly  avowed  it,  but  would  not 
listen  to  any  suggestion  of  their  conversion.  Deplorable 
obduracy,  but  which  should  excite  our  surprise  the  less, 
from  our  daily  seeing  examples  of  it  in  the  very  bosom  of 
Christendom.  As  an  Ii-oquois  lay  on  his  death-bed,  some 
fii-e  fell  on  tho  robe  which  covered  him.  As  he  saw  them 
endeavoring  to  extinguish  it,  he  said :  "  It  is  not  worth 
while.  I  know  that  I  shall  burn  for  all  eternity ;  whether 
it  begins  a  little  sooner  or  a  little  later,  is  not  worth  all  the 
trouble  you  are  taking."  Old  missionaries  have  assured 
me  that  these  cases  of  despair  are  not  as  rare  as  would 
naturally  be  supposed.' 

But  it  was  not  so  soon  that  such  testimonies  in  favor  of 


'ThewcoscH  are  given,  nppnrontly,    voix  does  not  seem  to  quote  any 
from  oral  inrormation,  oh  C'harlu-    authority. 


HISTORY  OF  NEW  FRANCE. 


79 


tho  truth  were  oxtortod  from  tlio  very  lips  of  those  who     1635. 
closod  their  eyes  to  tho  light ;  or  that  tho  luissionivrios  ^— ^r— ' 
saw  it  triuiniih  over  tho  prejudices  of  birth  and  odiication 
among  gross  and  superstitious  tribes.     Even  for  a  long 
tinu*  true  and  solid  conversions  were  very  rare.     It  was 
only  in  patience  that  the  Saviour  promised  to  tho  preach- 
ing of  the  gospel  an  abundant  harvest ;  and  tho  mission- 
aries of  Canada  understood  from  tho  outset  tho  necessity 
of  this  virtue,  by  their  repeated  experience  of  tho  duplicity 
and  otlier  defects  of  tho  tribes  confided  to  their  vigilance 
and  z(^al. 
At  first  somo  Hurons  took  a  stand  which  perplexed  tho  Conduct  of 

IT  /.  •       1)        .1  the  Ilurnna 

missionaries,  "lou  tell  us  very  fine  stories,  said  one  of  towurdg 
them  to  Father  Brebeuf,  "  and  there  is  nothing  in  what 
you  say  that  may  not  be  true ;  but  that  is  good  for  you 
who  come  across  the  seas.  Do  you  not  see  that,  as  we  in- 
habit a  world  so  different  from  yours,  there  must  be 
another  heaven  for  us,  and  another  road  to  reach  itV" 
Firm  in  this  position,  and  to  all  that  the  missionaries  said 
to  convince  them  of  its  extravagance  opposing  only  argu- 
ments too  absurd  to  be  seriously  refuted,  they  gave  no 
hope  of  conversion  but  that  which  is  the  fruit  of  coufi- 
denco  in  Ood.  It  is  in  such  circumstances  that  an  apos- 
tolic laborer  feels  sensibly  that  it  belongs  only  to  Him, 
who  has  fashioned  the  heart  of  man,  to  touch  and  change 
it.  This  knowledge  humbles  him,  and  humiliation  pre- 
pares him  to  become  a  fit  instrument  to  execute  the 
miracles  of  the  grace  of  Jesus  Christ. 

To  the  obstacles  inherent  in  the  disposition  of  these  Efforts  of 
people,  and  those  formed  by  their  passions,  must  be  added  cine  nun  to 
external  ones ;  and  the  most  dilficiUt  of  these  to  overcome  projticsB  of 
were  those  raised  by  the  medicine  men.'    These  charlatans, 
fearing  to  lose  the  estimation  acquired  by  the  exorcise  of 
their  art  if  the  missionaries  gained  credit  in  tho  country, 


'  Rt^lation  do  !a  Nouvelle  Franco    nepin.I^'RMmuHdesSauvng.ip.  101. 
(mirt),  y.  iU.    StHi  1«;J7,  p.  137  ;  n.-n-        »  Brossani,  Hrcve  H.lutionc,  p.  fla. 


80 


HISTORY  OF  NEW  FRANCE. 


1635. 


Other  dlffl- 
oulties. 


undertook  to  render  them  odious  and  contemptible  ;  and  at 
first  tliey  succeeded  without  much  exertion,  not  only  bo- 
cause  they  had  to  deal  with  an  extremely  superstitious 
and  suspicious  nation,  but  also  because  many  had  already 
got  it  into  their  heads  that  the  religion  of  the  French  did 
not  suit  them,  and  would  oven  bo  fatal  to  them,  if  it  was 
established  in  their  midst.' 

The  medicine-men,  therefore,  easily  succeeded  in  throw- 
ing suspicion  over  all  the  actions  of  the  Fathers,  and 
especially  their  prayers,  which  they  represented  as  witch- 
craft ;  so  thiit  those  religious  were  obliged  to  hide,  in  order 
to  say  their  breviary  and  perform  their  other  devotions. 
Indepeiiilc'iit  of  tliis  unfortunate  prejudice,  it  required  them 
to  effect  iiu  iiluiDst  coiiiplcto  reform  in  the  ideas  of  a  people 
jealous  of  its  reputiition  for  being  better  thinkers  than 
others  ;  to  impose  severe  laws  and  strict  obligations  on 
men  whose  ideal  of  glory  and  happiness  was  to  be  ham- 
pered in  nothing.  If  wo  call  to  mind  all  the  obstacles  that 
heart-rooted  libertinage,  so  hard  to  conquer  when  it  has 
known  no  check,  raised  to  the  holy  maxims  of  Christianity 
in  the  savages,  who  knew  no  rules  but  those  of  a  perverted 
reason,  and  a  uatm-e  accustomed  to  obey  every  inclination, 
— then  we  can  understand  the  position  of  the  three  stran- 
gers, to  whom  men  such  as  I  have  depicted,  already 
began  to  ascribe  all  their  misfortunes.' 

It  is  tnio  that  the  Hurons  were  then  in  a  very  sad 
position  ;  for  this  nation,  so  flourishing  of  old,  and  which 
had,  time  out  of  mind,  been  regarded  as  the  mistress  of 
the  others,  now  not  only  scarcely  ventured  to  take  the 
field  against  the  Iroquois,  but  was  also  a  prey  to  diseases, 
which  finally  depopulated  their  land.  With  well-consti- 
tuted minds,  capable  of  rising  above  prejudice,  nothing 
would  have  been  more  easy  than  to  profit  by  these  ac- 


'  Hi'lation  de  la  N.  F..  1705,  p.  35.  ond  part  to  the  difficulties  which 

''  liclation  de  la  Noavclle  France  bceot  the  miHSionarles  (pp.  20-71). 

(1630),  p.  83.    Father  Brcseani,  in  Comj»ro  lo  Clercq,  i.,  p.  27!) ;  Honno- 

biB  Breve  Relatione,  devoton  his  sue-  pin,  Leg  Mucotb  dee  Bauvoges,  p.  100. 


HISTORY  OP  NEW  FUiVNCE. 

cumulated  misfortuiics  to  turn  them  to  the  Author  of  all 
good  ;  but  tht'  Hurous,  persuaded  that  the  presence  of  the 
missionaries  was  the  crowniiif^  evil,  replied  to  every  argu- 
ment brought  forw  ard  to  convince  them  of  the  superiority 
of  the  God  of  the  Christians  over  the  spirits  whom  they 
adored :  "  Every  nation  has  its  gods :  our  misfortune  ia 
to  have  gods  weaker  than  yours,  and  unable  to  prevent 
our  destruction.'" 

To  heal  their  imagination  on  this  point,  during  a  drought 
which  threatened  the  country  with  a  general  famine, 
Father  de  Brebeuf  invoked  the  Almighty,  and  his  prayer 
was  followed  by  abundant  rain.  Ho  did  the  same  on  an- 
other occasion,  and  with  similar  success.'  These  wondera 
for  some  time  arrested  the  murmurs.  The  gi'eat  number 
of  dying  children,  who  were  seen  to  be  baptized  and  die 
immediately,  had  also  led  these  poor  blinded  people  to 
consider  baptism  as  a  spell  cast  by  the  Fathers  on  the 
children  to  kill  them;  but  it  happened  that  some  sick 
people,  whoso  cure  was  beyond  all  hope,  recovered  perfect 
health  as  soon  as  they  received  the  sacrament  of  regen- 
eration, and  these  unexpected  cures  recalled  the  better  dis- 
l)osed,  but  only  for  a  short  time  :  the  impression  made  on 
their  minds  by  these  marvellous  events  was  soon  effaced, 
and  the  work  was  always  to  be  begun  anew. 

Sometimes  the  profound  ignorance  of  these  savages, 
which  made  them  so  freqiusntly  attribute  to  supernatural 
causes  many  things  in  which  thei*e  was  nothing  to  exceed 
the  powers  of  nature,  led  thera  to  the  opposite  extreme  ;  as 
happens  to  those  who,  for  fear  of  being  over-credulous, 
rush  into  an  incredulity  that  reason  itself  disavows.  But 
these  changes  in  minds  arraying  themselves  irrationally, 
and  with  no  certain  nilo,  against  religion,  were  not  fre- 
quent among  a  people  who  care  little  for  what  does  not 
strike  the  senses ;  and  the  troubles  and  disgust  of  the 


81 


1635- 


Woiidem 

and  ttioir 
offuot. 


■<! 


'  KclRtion  do  la  Nonvelle  France       '  Brefisani,  Breve  Rcl.,  p.  63  ;  Rel. 
(ICaO),  p.  81).  de  la  NouvcUe  France  (16a0),  p.  83. 

Vol.  II.    0 


JIIOTOHV  OF  NFAV  FHANCR. 


><>3S- 


Counie  of 
tliu  tiiist- 
liouuries. 


\That  hap- 
pened ill  tt  council 
council.     ^"""'-" 


apostolical  luborers  iiroso  alinoBt  nUvfiys  from  thc^r  exces- 
sive crcilnlity. 

Every  thing  that  the  Indians  saw  in  the  liamls  of  the 
misHionaricH,  but  of  whicli  they  tlid  not  know  the  use,  was, 
accorcUng  to  tlieni,  a  charm  inten'I'd  to  draw  down  on 
thoui  death  or  niisfortuuo.  The  jiiissionarieH  had  to  keep 
locked  up  the  most  trifling  artichis  belonging  to  tho 
chapel,  and  they  were  even  obliged  to  put  out  of  sight  a 
clock  and  a  weathor-cock,  tho  former  of  which  tho  Indians 
said  brought  death,  and  the  other  always  bad  weather ;' — a 
deplorable  excess,  doubtless,  but  less  criminal  before  God 
than  tho  blindness  which  draws  so  many  pseudo-savants 
into  iiTcligiou,  if  wo  consider  tho  ignorance  which  urged 
on  those  barbarians,  devoid  of  all  the  natural  knowledge 
by  moans  of  which  they  might  have  risen,  with  tho  graco 
of  Christ,  to  know  tho  Author  of  nature. 

The  firmness  and  magnanimity  of  which  tho  throe  re- 
ligious gave  striking  proofs  amid  the  perils  that  surrounded 
them,  the  sound  arguments  they  employed  to  reach  tho 
capacity  of  their  hearers,  their  natural  and  palpable  ex- 
planations of  every  thing  wliich  they  saw  excite  tho  least 
suspicion,  and  tho  unwavering  patience  with  which  they 
endured  the  most  shameful  treatment,  in  time  dissipated 
the  unfavorable  impressions  against  them,  and  tht^y  not 
only  succeeded  in  calming  the  first  fury  of  a  people  whom 
tho  satellites  of  Satan  never  ceased  to  ii'ritate  and  envenom 
against  them,  but  even  acquired  a  great  ascendency  over 
their  minds.  This,  however,  came  only  by  degrees,  and 
after  many  years  of  suflTering. 

Father  do  Brebeuf  v/as  one  day  called  before  a  general 
His  reception  there  convinced  him  that  his  death 
was  decided.  He  was  first  reproached  with  all  the  evils 
endured  by  the  nation  since  his  arrival  in  tho  country ;  and 
they  attempted  to  prove  that  these  evils  could  have  no 


'  BrcB8Rn5,  Brovo  Relatione,  p.  64  ; 
Kc'lntion  do  1ft  NmivcUo  Franco 
(l(i;!H),  i>.  ;n  ;  Kflution  (1040).  i>.  55  ; 


CreuxiuB,  Historia  CnnndonHiB,  pp. 
172,  etc.  ;  Mnric  do  rincarmition, 
Lcttrt«  nmtori()iU'8,  p.  y. 


mSTOUY  OP  NEW  FRANCE. 


83 


other  cnnso  tJiaii  liis  witclicriift  nml  that  of  his  coinpniiiona.  1635. 
The  sorviviit  of  God,  wi  hont  betraying  any  alarm  at  the  *-"~v— -^ 
(lunger  in  wliiili  hv  Htootl,  lu-st  exphiini'd  tlie  general  prin- 
ciples of  Chriytiiin  iloctrines.  He  then  proved  that  the 
seourgos,  which  had  for  some  time  visited  them,  miglit  well 
bo  Btrokes  of  the  justice  of  the  Qnd  whom  he  preached  ; 
that  this  (}od,  who  was  sanctity  itself,  therel>y  punished 
the  disorders  prevalent  among  them,  and,  jealous  of  his 
glory,  chastised  their  obstinate  refusal  to  ackuowledge 
Him  as  their  Creator  and  Sovereign  Lord. 

Some  wished  to  reply,  but  he  silenced  them  by  shomng 
the  absurdity  of  their  principles.  He  then  resumed  his 
discourae,  and  said  that  before  Jesus  Christ  had  been 
announced  to  them  there  might  bo  some  excuse  for  their 
infidelity ;  but  as  they  could  no  longer  pretend  ignorance, 
they  would  bo  inexcusable  if  they  persisted  in  their  obsti- 
nacy ;  that  till  then,  God,  good  as  ho  was  just,  had  chas- 
tened them  as  a  father  ;  that  perhaps  he  would  weary,  and 
take  a  rod  of  iron  which  would  crush  tlu  m.  Then  many 
begged  him  to  instruct  them.  He  did  so,  and  spoke  at 
length.  They  seemed  to  listen  with  pleasure,  although  no 
one  expressed  conviction.  As  he  left  the  cabin,  he  was 
Bur])rised  to  see  one  of  those  who  on  all  occasions  had  most 
openly  declared  against  the  Christian  religion,  fall  toma- 
hawki'd  at  his  feet.  Thinking  the  blow  was  intended  for 
liim,  he  stopped,  and  asked  wliether  they  had  not  mistaken. 
"  No,"  replied  the  one  who  dealt  the  blow,  "  this  wretch  was 
a  sorcerer,  of  whom  it  was  deemed  time  to  free  the  village.'" 

Some  time  after,  these  vexations  broke  out  more  furi-  Now  perse- 
ously  than  ever  ;  and  this  new  persecution  was  caused  by  peased'irt' 
some  Indians  who,  retuniiug  from  the  neighborhood  of  '• 

Manhattan,  declared  that  the  Europeans'  settled  in  those 


1; 


1  Relation  de  la  Nouvelle  Franco  1640;  Brpbenf,  Letter,  May  20, 1637 ; 

(10;i8>,  p.  37  ;  liri'Hsani,  Hrevo  Hcln-  Creuxius,    liigtoria   ('anailonsis,    p. 

tione,  pp.  05,  (ICi  ;  OarnitT,  Lettrcs  220,  etc. 

Ini'dits  (10;fS) ;  Marie  de  I'liirama-        '  The   Putoh.— CTarfciotJ.     Man- 

tiiiu,  LettroB  (1038),  September  18,  liattt;  is  ulniOHt  always  employed  by 


84 


HISTORY  OF  NEW  FIIANCB. 


i6^^.  parts  Imd  wamofl  tliriu  to  lu'wivrc  of  tlio  Froiirli  roli^'iouH, 
-^  »  "-  '  who  wt«ro  jHTiiiciouH  iiini,  Hpri'iulinj?  troulilo  iiiitl  dt'solii- 
tioii  ovorywiioro,  and  for  that  nuiMon  not  toU'ratrd  in 
HoUand.  I3iit  tho  storm  did  not  hist.  Tla*  wisoHt  of  tlio 
Hnrons,  who  Lad  begun  to  open  their  eyes,  showed  that, 
in  so  inijif)rtant  a  matter,  they  should  judj^o  hy  what  they 
saw  ;  that  pru(h>ncc  required  tlieni  to  examine  the  charac- 
ter and  conduct  of  men  to  wliom  so  much  evil  was  im- 
puted, and  in  whojn,  as  yet,  nothing  was  seen  which  ro- 
8eml)h;d  the  odious  deHerii)tion  given  by  strangers,  who 
were  probably  their  enemies.' 
The  wnra  -But  wliat  more  than  all  tdso  gave  room  to  boliovo  that 
gmntoiruc-  tlio  day  of  uierey  was  abont  to  dawn  for  the  Huron  nation, 
tho  lliiroin.  was  tliat  tlio  afllictions,  which  had  been  hitherto  a  stum- 
bling-block in  the  way  of  religion,  began  to  prepare  them 
for  impressions  of  giuiee.  If  nothing  ])roves  its  divinity 
better  than  this  j)ower  to  elicit  acknowhulgment  of  it  in 
adversity,  those  who  preach  tlie  faith  to  tho  heathen  havo 
no  more  sensible  mark  that  CJod  has  taken  possession  of 
their  hearts,  than  when  \w  draws  them  to  liim  by  tlu!  way 
of  tribulation.  Tho  presentiments  of  tho  missionaries 
were  just,  and  their  hopes  well  grounded.  Many  of  the 
most  esteemed  chiefs  in  tho  nation  declared  in  favor  of  tho 
Christian  religion,  and  solicited  baptism  with  much  ear- 
nestness. But  great  as  were  tho  advantages  to  be  hoped 
for  from  sucli  conquests,  the  Fathers  doomed  it  unwise  to 
yield  so  easily  to  the  desires  of  these  new  proselytes.     The 


Frnnch  writew  of  tho  Boventconth 
and  eiphtct'tith  ccnlurioH  to  minify 
New  York.  Brcsmini  (in  his  Hrcve 
Relation,  ]i.  '.'>')  Ma)'H  timt  Indians 
from  tlie  country  of  the  Oucnroun)- 
nons,  who  liail  traded  with  the  Kng- 
lish,  Dutcli,  and  otlior  Protcstant«, 
BO  Btiited.  .\h  to  llicse  Wcnron,  Mje 
C'haniplnin  (i.'d.  W.i'i,  \>.  120),  where 
he  B|>eakM  of  the  Oucntouoronnns, 
friondH  of  tho  Iro(|ur)iB :  CreuxiuB, 
Hist.  Cunad.,  j).  2;tH ;  Kel.  {HWI)),  p. 


89.  Thoy  may  be  tho  Antoaohono- 
ron,  attacked  byChamplain  in  101.5. 
Some  have  Hiip|x>Bed  that  thoy  pivo 
namu  to  l>ake  Ontario,  but  tliix  iwaa 
error.  Ontara.  in  Huron  and  lro(|uoi8 
(Satiard,  Oict. ;  Hennepin,  Nouv.  Dec, 
p.  ;il  ;  Hruyas,  liueiueB,  etc.),  means 
a  lake;  Ontariio,  Ix'autiful  lako. 

'  Relation  de  la  Nouvi'lle  France 
(l(i;i8),  p.  ;ifl;  HreBsani,  Bri've  Ifela- 
tione,  ]).  67  :  ("reuxius,  Ilistoria  I'a- 
nadenBiK.  p  22U. 


IIISTOUY  OF  NEW  FRANCR. 


86 


more  cnpiihlo  tlicy  woro  of  contributing  hy  tlu'ir  influonfo  to    iii$-6. 
tlio  coiivtfrsion  of  otlurs,  the  laon*  n<'cimKiirv  it  was  dufiued   ~'"~y-~-' 
to  try  tlicni,  lunl  Ix?  iisHurcd  of  tlioir  coiiKtiUicy.' 

Tlicy  iiislnicttd  tlnni  tliorouj^'lily,  ho  as  to  onablo  tliom  wiiv  ihe 
to  Hivo  a  r.'asoM  for  tlii'ir  faith,  and  nu'ct  dirticultifs  tlnit  23'/"i''.?/» 
nii;^lit  1)0  raisrd  ;  for  it  must  not  bo  suppost-d  that  tlio  mis-  *„'j!j,* 
sionarics  had  only  to  contend  with  brutalilv  and  absurd 
pnjudii'os  in  tho  Indians.  Hvon  if  thoso  ju'oplo  had  not 
all  tho  solidify  of  mind  and  (^'ood  houbo  attributed  to  thorn 
by  thoHO  who  havo  had  most  intorcourso  with  tlii'm,  tho 
oxju'rioiico  of  all  timos  and  rountrios  shows  tliat,  as  the 
woakost  mou  fiiid  stronj^tli,  in  a  i)rossing  uood,  to  dofond 
thomsolvos  against  an  unjust  aggressor,  so  tho  h'ast  pouo- 
trating  mimlH  novor  lack  spooicms  reasons  for  declining  to 
yiild  when  pressed  to  roct'ivo  a  doctrine  against  which  all 
their  passions  revolt.  Hence,  I  have  heard  old  mission- 
aries assort  frecpiontly  that  Indians  had  madt'  to  tlii'iu  all 
tho  objections  raised  by  tho  most  loarnod  Gn^cks  and 
Romans  against  the  first  apologists  of  Christianity.* 

Three  things  especially  tended  to  free  tho  Hurons  from  wimtrcn- 


(llTH  tIliB 


their  ])n'juilices,  and  arm  them  against  tho  seduction  which  pc„p"emoro 


had  s(j  long  kept  them  in  error.  In  the  first  place,  they 
made  solid  rotloctions  on  tin*  sanctity  of  the  icligiou 
j)r(^achod  to  them,  and  on  tho  purity  of  its  moral  code. 
The  missionaries  woro  extremely  surprised  to  hi-ar  them 
express  thou,  selves  on  these  two  points,  as  men  who  liad 
overlooked  ni-"v>  of  tlie  maxims  and  principles  of  Chris- 
tianity, but  saw  •Nearly  the  connection  between  thoso  prin- 
ciples and  the  consequencos  which  their  instructors  de- 
duced from  them.  In  the  second  place,  they  soon  con- 
ceived a  high  idea  of  these  religious,  and  never  wearied  in 
admirmg  their  ability,  prudence,  and  tlio  justness  and 
force  of  their  arguments.  The  great  examples  of  virtue 
which  they  saw  them  practise,  mado  still  gi'oater  impios- 


ooilo. 


'  Bressani,   Breve   Relatione,   p.       '  Creaxius,   HiBtoria  Canadensiti, 
00.  p.  230. 


1118'roKV  OK  NKW   FUANCB. 


Iliir'iii 
nilwluiiit. 


1635  6.  Hion  on  them.  Thvy  wrre  cHjuTiiill}-  Htruck  witl>  (lu'ir 
^'"'Y—  founi^'c  Hiid  (liMint('ie«t(HliM'HH,  and  with  their  (.'(Hitciiiiiit 
of  life.  It  (hit  not  HiuMii  roiiHoiiiildo  to  lu'lievo  thiit  Kui-h  mm 
wt'i't*  iniHtiikt'ii  in  tho  afl'iiir  of  religion.  In  tho  third 
pluco,  they  iiK>'ee(l  that  one  inuHt  havo  h)Ht  all  Henne  to 
iina^'ine  that  men  who  had  no  interest  in  leadin;^  them  into 
error  would,  merely  to  do  it,  havo  undertaken  Hiiuh  hwig 
voyageH,  rim  HUeh  rinkM,  exposed  thouisolvoH  to  no  luuch 
hardHhip,  exiled  theniHelvcH  ho  far  from  frionds  and  kin- 
dred to  Hpend  their  days  with  unknown  triheH,  and  remain 
there  in  spite  of  the  cold  welcom«i  they  had  received  and 
tho  nuinner  in  which  they  coutinutd  to  bo  treated.  These 
reflections,  made  at  first  only  by  n  few  iudiviihinls,  less 
rooted  in  ))r»'ju(lice,  soon  spread  to  the  masses,  and  sud- 
denly cluin},'ed  the  fact)  of  afl'airs  ;  but  the  njissionaries 
had  yet  another  n-ason  for  actinj^  cautiously  with  this 
people,  and  not  receiving  into  tho  number  of  neophytes  all 
who  })resonted  themselves. 
Tliev  curry  This  was  the  reluctance  whicli  most  evinced  to  renounce 
MutW'Mioo  practices,  inditlerent  in  tiiemselvos,  but  suspected  by  tho 
^'  missionaries  as  not  exempt  from  superstition.  These  In- 
dians in  vain  protested  that  they  did  not  acknowledge  any 
thing  supernatural  in  them.  All  appeared  susjucious  in  a 
dissembling  nation,  borne  by  an  almost  irresistibh'  bent  to 
attribute  every  thing  to  spirits.  After  all,  laudable  as 
mistrust  and  strictness  are  in  this  matter,  they  shoidd  not 
bo  excessive.  Missionaries  aftenvards  admitted  that  they 
had  carried  their  precautions  somewhat  too  far,  and  had 
thus  retarded  the  work  of  God. 
Character  of  What  was  done  in  the  Huron  country  to  establish  the 
°'tioN8.'  fnith,  or  at  least  prepare  the  Indians  for  it,  was  done  also 
at  Three  Rivers,  which  began  to  bo  the  rendezvous  of  the 
northern  nations,  in  the  neighborhood  of  Quebec,  and  at 
Tadoussac,  to  draw  into  the  bosom  of  tho  Church  the  Al- 
gonquius,  the  Montagnez,  and  in  general  all  with  w!ioia 
the  French  had  any  intercourse.  Tho  difficulties  were 
everywhere    about   equally   great   at   first,   but   differed 


IIIHTOUY  OK  NKW   KilANCK. 


•T 


lu'cordiii;^  to  tho  vcriouH  dispositionH  of  tho  triltcH  wlioni    if>i?-6. 
tlu'V  undertook  to  inHtriK^t.      Much    Hupcrstitinii   in    all:  -^»'~-' 
horo  moro  nulciioss,  l)iit  uiom  simplicity  ;   iiiori)  cxtrav-  Airfon<|iiin 
af^'uiicoH  to  contciiu  witii,  but  moro  oumo   in  Hiipi'rcasiii^ 
tlicin  ;  liardor  iiiindH,  imt  IwiartH  inoro  docilo  ;  more  liard- 
hliips  and  laborH,  (ispcoially  when  foiccd  to  follnw  tlic  In- 
dians in  tlitiir  wiutur  hunts,'  l»ut  less  risks  to  run.     'I'licro 
was,  too,  h'HH  to  combat  in  order  t<»  persuade  Hiese  lattor  ! 
but  nioro  resourco  was  found  in  tho  retlcction  and  [tenotrii- 
tion  of  tho  former.     j^Iomovor,  the  nomadic  life  of  the  Al- 
gon(iuin  tribes  pn^vontod  any  calc\ilatio!i   on  indiviihialH, 
and  an  absence  of  Homcf  months  often  ruined  the  labors  of 
Bcveral  years. 

Grace  operated,  moreover,  very  ditTerontly  iu  tho  two  VrogrciMi  of 
nations.  It  found  in  the  Hurons  more  reltellious  hearts,  but 
more  constancy  in  i^ood,  when  once  en  'raced.  They  pavo 
more  liojui  of  contiiniod  progress,  but  it  was  slower.  Tho 
Algompiins  ofl'ered  to  gi-aco  a  heart  more  easily  moulded, 
and  jH'osentcd  obstacles  more  easily  rcmo\«>d  ;  but  it  f(mnd 
h'ss  solidity  and  h^ss  disposition  for  great  virtues.  Grace 
triumj)hed  over  both,  and  corrected  their  defects ;  but  it 
cost  the  sweat  and  the  blood  of  many  of  those  whom  she 
e'n])loyed  to  work  out  the  wonderful  change.' 

Meanwhile,  New  Franco  was  settled  from  day  to  day,  Foi-.mlBtion 
and  piety  increased  with  tho  number  of  its  inhabitants.  i°.j,o  oKiue- 
Nothing  perhaps  contributed  more  to  this  happy  i)rogre.s8       *""'' 
than  an  establishment  commenced  in  the  year  1(J!}5.     Ten 
years  before — that  is  to  say,  at  the  time  when  the  Jesuits 
first  went  to  Canada — Ren6  llohault,  ehlost  son  of  tho 
Marquis  do  Gamacho,  having  obtained  tho  consent  of  his 
family  to  enter  the  Society  of  Jesus,  Lis  parents,  who 
loved  him  tenderly,  and  learned  from  his  own  lips  that  he 
ardently  desired  to  see  a  collogo  founded  at  Quebec, 


V 


i 


*  T^  Jcnne,  in  Relation  de  la  Xou-  *  See  the  Relations  in  general, 
velle  Francu,  1(134,  p.  61 ;  Bn'seani,  1633 to  1(139 ;  Unxsani,  Kruvu  Hulat. ; 
Brcvo  Kflatione,  p.  65.  Lo  Ciercq,  K«lat.  de  la  (lui*iN)Hio,  etc. 


'V 


I 


lUHTOUY   OK  NKW   KUAMK. 


1635-6.    wislit'il  ti)  fj;ra*'fy  iiiH  wiMli(>Hnn  tliiH  point  iiIho.   T1ii\v  wi.>t»> 

*"""~t'~~^  to  I'litlitT  Matins  VittHi'Hchi,  ^'cnrial  of  tlu'  .IcMiits,  iiml 

oII'itimI  liini  Hi\  tlioiiHiuitl  pitil  crownH  for  tliis  foundation. 

Tlir  donation  was  tliankfiilly  ifccivod,  hut  tli«)  oapturu  of 

Qm-hou  by  the  Englinh  HUH|)*uidt'd  tlu)  oxocution  of  tho 

jnojcct.' 

Firtt  i^irot      It  waH  nt'coHHary  thfu  to  wait  hoiuo  tinio  till  tho  capital 

"'a»UoM. "  '""^  taken  foruj  and  tlm  coloniHtn  w<'ro  in  a  n)n<lition  to 

profit  l)y  tliiH  cstalilislinicnt.     Tho  atVair  was  fiiiuUy  coiu- 

incniTd  in  tin*  niontli  of  Dtccnihcr,  l(iUi>  ;  hut  tho  joy  it 

Do«tli  of   gavi-  was  soon  tidul)lcd  hy  the  loss  of  its  f^ovcnior,  which 

'*'"''""'  tlic  Ficncli  colony  sustaint'd  a  few  days  after,     llr  died  at 

Quehec  this  sanui  year,  j^enerally  and  justly  re<,nettetl.' 


'  lit'lutlon  (In  la  Nduvi-llt'  Kriinci', 
KMI,  |>.  ."1(1.  M.-lutinii,  ii>:iil.  p.  4 
CrnixiiiM  (HiHtoritt  ('niimliiiHlM,  ji.  7) 
jfiVfM  llio  liltcrH  cif  l''iillii'r  MiiiliiH 
VUclii'M'lil.i'HdililiHlilii^  Nirliiiliih  lti>- 
liaut,  Miir(|iiiH  cli' I  laiiiarlic,  Haniii  iif 
l^in^roy  iiiiil  Hiiiclii'x  illi',  Sri^iiciir 
nt'  lli'nui'liiiiM|>,  Marciill,  iiiiil  l)<<n- 
iilncdiir,  rlc ,  mill  Iiih  wII":'.  KruiiccH 
Muiij^ol,  lomiilcrs  of  tlu*  colli^'ev 
CrciixiiiH  pvi'N  tho  iiiiKiiint  uh  h'i\- 
tot'n  tliiiiifaiKl  pil<l  criiwim.  TIiih  im 
HiiplMii'U'll  liy  iJK  li<'liiiiint  (Ilintoiri' 
(III  C'aiiadii,  (jiiflx'C,  !s|0,  p.  1 1,  ami 
by  a  iiuiiniHciipt  lint  nt  iK'ni't'iu'torH 
of  tin;  CaMiida  iiiihHioii,  in  tin-  haiul- 
wrilinj,'  of  I'atluT  KuKiii-tii'au,  "  Mar. 
I't,    Ili'Jit,    .Miiri|nis    do    (iaiiiaclH', 

4S,(XH)  Ii\ TI'H." 

'  Cliainplain  dii'd  DircnilHT  'i't, 
H'l'M,  aficr  uii  IIIiuhs  iif  two  inontliH 
and  a  half  lUclaiinn  dc  la  Nouvclh! 
France,  Ui;t(t,  p.  5(1;  CrouxiiiB,  lll»- 
torla  CuiiadenHis,  p.  l^jll).  llu  wiui 
born  at  Hrouap'.  in  Xaintongc,  in 
15(17  or  1570,  of  a  rcHpcctablc  family, 
his  father  iMjinf;  Htylcd  noble.  Dur- 
ing the  <'ivil  wars  he  fought  for  tho 
king  in  Brittany,  under  d'.Auniont 
de  8t.  I,ur  and  HriHHac  (Faillon,  llin- 
toiro  de  la  Colonie  l•"ranl;ai»t^  vol.  1, 
note  xxi.,  ]>.  550).     ll'is  unclu  huld  a 


high  rank  in  the  HpanlHhnavy  ;  and 
('haiiiplaiii  hadjiiNt  ri'tiiriied  fniiii  a 
voyage  to  Mexini  in  the  Spanish 
wrvice  when  he  waN  imlin'ed  lo  Hiiil 
to  New  Krimci'.  witli  »hleli  hin  alter- 
etireer  wax  idiiitilii'd,  and  in  wlilcli 
he  uiiH  laid,  attir  many  yearn  of 
adveiiliire  iiikI  Htriiggle.  lie  mar- 
ried Helen  lloiille,  HiHter  of  a  fellow- 
navigator,  who.  though  at  tlm 
lime  a  I'rotc'htant,  ri'liirneil  to 
the  ancient  talth,  anil,  on  her  Iiiih- 
biind'n  diath.  biraine  an  riNulinu 
nun,  under  the  iiuiiie  of  Muther 
Helen  de  St.  AugUBtini'.  Hhe  died 
at  .Meaux,  l)ec<'mlMT  'iO,  1(154,  at  tho 
age  of  lil'iyHix,  in  a  convent  which 
hhe  liiid  founded  (('ronii|ue  du 
I'Ordre  diH  I'rHulinis  ;  l.ex  Urnii- 
lineH  de  yuelnc.  p.  ;t.")!j).  'I'liey  lett 
no  icMue,  the  only  heir  appearing  to 
rluiin  any  right  in  IiIh  eHlate  being 
a  couNin.  Champlain  wrot<>  a  jour- 
nal of  IiIh  voyage  to  Mexico,  of 
which  a  tolerable  translation  hag 
Ix^en  pub'iishwl  by  the  Ilakluyt  So- 
ciety ;  Di'H  SauvagcM,  KiOiJ ;  Voy- 
agi'H,  l(ii;i  ;  Voyages,  lOli)  ;  Voy- 
ages,  Kiii'i.  A  copy  of  his  {Mirtrait 
by  Moncornet  is  here  given.  For 
the  discovery  of  his  tomb,  Bee  note 
at  end  of  this  voluinu. 


IIISTOIIY  OF  NKW   FHANCR. 

Mr.  ilo  Cliikiiiplaiii  miih,  Itcyoml  c-oiitriwliction,  ii  iiikm  of 
iiu'rit,  mill  Kiav  well  lit'  ciillcil  tiik  r.\Tiii;it  nv  Nkw  Fhanck. 
lit'  Imd  f^odd  sfiiHc,  iniicli  iiciiitijitinii,  very  U|iri;^lil  vicWH,  ( 
and  IK)  iiii\ii  wiiH  <>r*'t°  inorr  skilltd  in  iidnptiii^  ii  ('(iiirso  in 
tiui  nioHt  coriplictitcd  ulViiirH.  Wliiit  nil  iidniirrd  nnmt  in 
hini  WHS  Ids  constant'}'  in  following  ii])  Ids  ndcrprisrs  ;  hirt 
firnincMs  in  tlic  nicalcst  fliinj/crs  ;  a  couni^'c  proof  a^^'ainst 
tlit>  most  iinfoi't'st'iii  irvcrst'H  and  disappointinrtds  ;  ardent 
nnd  diHintonmtc'd  patriotism  ;  a  heart  tender  and  (Mnipas- 
Hionatc  for  tlio  uidiappy,  and  more  att«'ntive  to  tlic  inter- 
ests of  Ids  friends  tlian  his  own  ;  a  hi^di  sense  of  honor, 
and  {^reat  probity.  His  memoirs  show  that  he  was  not 
ij,'norant  of  any  thinp;  that  one  of  his  profession  should 
know  ;  and  we  thid  in  him  n  faithful  and  sincere  historian, 
nn  attentively  observant  trav«ller,  a  jutlicious  writer,  u 
good  nnithematician,  and  an  abii^  mariner. 

IJut  what  crowns  all  these  f,'ood  (pndities  is  tlie  fact, 
that  in  his  life,  an  well  an  in  his  writings,  he  shows  himself 
always  u  tndy  Christian  man,  /eahms  for  the  service  ' 
Ciod,  full  of  candor  and  reli|,'ion.  He  was  accustomed  to 
Hay,  what  we  read  in  his  memoirs,  "  that  the  salvation  of 
ft  sinj^'le  soul  was  worth  more  than  the  contpiest  of  an 
ouipiro,  and  that  kings  should  seek  to  extend  their  (hmuiin 
in  heathen  cimntries  only  to  subject  them  to  Christ."  Ho 
t]i\>s  spoke,  especially  to  silence  those  who,  unduly  jtreju- 
diced  against  Canada,  asked  what  France  would  gain  by 
Hcttling  it.  Our  kings,  it  is  known,  always  s]ioke  like 
Cham])]ain  on  this  ])oint  ;  and  the  conversion  of  the 
Indians  was  the  chief  motivt*  wliicii,  more  than  once,  pre- 
vented their  abandoning  a  colony  the  progress  of  which 
was  8o  long  retarded  by  our  imjjatience,  our  inconstancy, 
and  the  blind  cujiidit}'  of  a  few  individuals.  To  give  it  a 
more  solid  foundation,  it  only  retjuiri  ^  more  respect  for 
the  suggestions  of  Mr.  de  CIniniplain,  and  more  sea;  md- 
ablo  relief  on  the  part  of  those  who  i)laced  him  in  his 
position.  The  jilan  which  ho  i)roposed  wus  but  too  well 
justified  by  the  failure  of  opposite  muxims  and  conduct. 


81) 

'liain)<Ulii. 


90 


HISTORY  OF  NEW  FRANCE. 


1635-6.  Lescarbot  reproaches  him  with  credulity.  It  is  the  fault 
^-""r-^'-^  of  upright  minds,  and  we  cannot,  in  fact,  overlook  what  he 
chami>lain.  says  of  the  Gourou,'  and  the  monstrous  face  of  the  Ar- 
mouchiquois  Indians.'  He  had  been  deceived  by  one  Pre- 
vert,  of  St.  Mulo,  who  often  delighted  in  inventing  such 
stories,  which  ho  related  with  great  assurance  ;  as  when  he 
one  day  protested,  in  presence  of  Mr.  de  Poutrincourt,  that 
he  had  seen  an  Indian  playing  ball  with  the  devil.  He  was 
asked  what  shape  this  devil  assumed,  and  he  replied  that 
he  had  seen  only  the  bat,  which  seemed  to  be  moved  by 
.an  invisible  hand.  Champlain  could  not  understand  how 
a  man  who  had  no  interest  in  lyiii^'  could  do  so  in  sport, 
and  actually  believed  Prevert's  story.  As  it  is  impossible 
to  be  faultless,  it  is  well  to  have  only  those  faults  that 
would  be  virtues  were  all  men  what  they  sliould  be.' 

To  return  to  t'le  college  of  Quebec,  the  Jesuits  pro- 
ceeded without  delay  to  fulfil  the  obligations  which  they 
had  just  contracted  by  accepting  this  foundation.  They 
felt  all  its  importance,  am'',  in  fact,  uotiiiug  could  have  been 
more  seasonable  for  the  progress  of  the  colony.  Many 
Frenchmen,  certain  of  being  able  to  give  thoir  sons  an 
education  not  attainable  then  in  many  towns  in  Franco, 
settled  in  New  France  ;*  and  the  Indians,  who  were  duly  im- 
pressed with  an  idea  of  the  advantage  they  might  derive 
from  such  an  cEtabhshment,  c^ime  hojn  all  parts  in  num- 
bers to  the  neighborhood  of  Quebec. 

As  they  were  invariably  well  treated  at  the  college  by  free 
bestowal  of  food  for  the  body,  they  were  rendered  docile 
to  receive  that  of  the  soul,  and  some  cheerfully  intrusted 
their  sons  to  persons  who  undertook  to  bring  them  up.' 
By  this  means  they  were  more  and  more  civilized  ;  and  as 


Colloge  of 
(iuebec. 


'  Lescarbot,  Histoire  de  la  Nou-  '  Lescarbot,  Histoire  de  la  Nou- 

vell(^  France  {ed.  1(113),  pp.  397,  402.  velle  Franco,  ed.  1613,  p.  403. 

Champlain,  DeH  Saiivajjes,  1003,  ch.  *  As  to  the  origin  of  the  settlers  of 

xii.   xiii.     Ooiigou,  jroiirou,   means  this  epoch,  see  Ferland,  Notes  siir 

reniorae  of  conBcicuci'.  les  Hegistres,  p.  40. 

»  Clinniplaiii,  Voy.  (ed.  1«13\  p.  3.  *  Helatiim  do  la  N.  F.,  1630,  p.  44. 


HISTORY   OF   NEW   FRANCE. 


^ 


New 
Fruuoo. 


they  acquired  affection  for  the  French  r 'don,  they  were    1635-6. 

found  hotter  disposed  to  become  good  Christians.     There  ^-'^ ' 

can  be  no  doubt  that,  liad  it  been  possible  to  keep  con- 
stantly a  number  of  Indian  boys  in  tliis  house,  the  pro- 
gress of  Christianity  would  have  been  mare  prompt  and 
durable  among  these  people  ;  but  the  funds  were  not  suffi- 
cient to  HUKtaiu  this  good  work,  and,  besides,  other  and  in- 
superable difficulties  arose  subsequently,  of  which  I  shall 
speak  hereafter. 

The  good  example  of  those  whose  position  renders  it  Mr.  da 
always  efficacious  when  accompanied  by  wisdom  and  ("ovemor'df 
power,  also  contributed  to  form  true  Christians  in  this 
new  colony.  Mr.  de  Montmagny,  who  succeeded  Mr.  de 
Champlain  in  the  government  of  Canada,'  and  Mr.  de 
Lisle,  who  coiamanded  at  Three  Rivers,  both  knights  of 
Malta,  openly  professed  the  l)iety  which  became  their  call- 
ing, and  showed  a  zeal  for  order  to  which  their  firmness 
and  exactitude  insiu'ed  success.'  The  divine  service  was 
celebrated  with  all  the  pomp  that  the  poverty  of  the  set- 
tlers permitted  ;  but  piety  and  modesty  are  the  true  orna- 
ments of  tlin  temple  of  a  God  who  is  jealous  only  of  being 
adored  in  spirit  and  in  truth,  and  these  virtues  reigned 
with  lustr(!  among  the  new  settlors. 

One  of  the  first  cares  of  the  Chovalier  do  Montmagny,  p,„jggt  ^^^ 
after  investigating  the  condition  of  his  government,  was 
to  regulate  the  seminary  for  Indian  boys  in  the  Jesuit 
college.'  This  had  been  projected  the  year  before,  and 
it  was  deemed  best  to  begin  with  the  Hurous,  among 
whom  several  famihes  had  just  embraced  Christianity.     It 


si-inimiry 
for  liidiuu 
boys. 


'  The  government,  till  the  arrival 
of  Montmagny,  was  administered  by- 
Mark  Anthony  nras-de-'.';r  (de)('ha- 
tenufort,  governor  of  Tlire;;  Hivers  : 
Viger,  Liste  ;  Ueliilion,  l(i3(i,  p.  2; 
Creuxius,  Historia  Canadensis,  p. 
184  ;  Ferland,  Cours  d'llistoire,  i., 
p.    27!».      The  Chevalier  de   Mont- 


magny was  appointed  March   10,    X&37,  r,.  63. 


16;i7,  and  reached  Queliec  .June  10- 
11;  I'erland,  p.  27!);  Fi.'.iio'i,  His- 
toire  de  la  Colonic  Frani.aif'.',  p.  'iS^  ; 
I'reiixiiis,  Historia  Cai'adensi.s,  p. 
20.-). 

"  Relation  do  la  Nouvelle  Franco, 
103(>,  p.  44  ;  1040.  p.  41  ;  1037.  p.  3. 

^  Relation  ''.<;  hi  Nouvelle  Franco, 


:i 


i 

1 1 


I  I 


-'t: 


T:' 


I     h 


-M- 


ii.L.>Pr>.w    r>i:.    xtpw;     if  ff  ^  i^Jfi:' 


1635-6.  wna  oosr/IJiored,  too,  that  they  would  bo  so  r^-my  hostages 
""Y^'^'  for  the  fidelity  of  their  parents.  Tho  Huron  Christians 
were,  accordingly,  invited  to  send  their  children  to  Quebec, 
to  be  uistnicted  in  tho  i)rinciple8  of  I'^ligion  and  trained 
in  good  habits.  They  made  no  objection  at  first,  and 
promised  compliance  ;  but  when  tho  time  for  fulfilment 
came.  Father  Daniel,  who  undertook  to  bring  them,  of  all 
tho  boys  on  whom  they  had  reckoned,  was  able  to  embark 
only  three  or  four,  whose  parents  were  absent ;  and  even 
these  few  he  got  no  further  than  Three  Rivers,  where 
their  parents  meeting  him,  reclaimed  them,  altliough 
they  had  consented  to  their  journey.  This  conduct  did 
not  smpi-ise  the  missionaries,  ah-eady  aware  of  the  extreme 
attachment  of  these  savages  to  their  children,  and  their 
invincible  repugnance  to  parting  with  thorn.' 
A  nnmbcr  Father  Daniel  was  too  near  Quel)ec  not  to  visit  it  before 
wie3^ttmoi?g  returning  to  his  mission.  A  letter  of  Father  le  Jeuno  rep- 
tho  Hurons.  i-gyoi^ts  him  as  arrivuig  in  a  canoe,  paddle  in  hand,  accom- 
panied by  three  or  four  Indians,  barefooted,  completely 
exhausted,  his  breviary  hanging;  to  his  neck,  a  shirt  falling 
to  pieces,  and  a  tattered  cassock  on  his  attenuated  body, 
but  with  a  happy  countenance,  charmed  with  the  Hie  he 
led,  and,  by  his  air  and  words,  inspiring  all  with  the  desire 
of  sharing  the  crosses  to  which  tho  Lord  imparted  so  much 
unction.'  Many  went,  indeed,  and  before  the  end  of  1636 
they  numbered  six  priests  scattered  m  the  difi'orent  Huron 
towns,  to  which  several  Frenchmen  had  followed  them.* 

It  was  a  favorable  moment  to  plant  a  good  settlement 
in  that  coiintry  ;  the  interest  of  both  Indians  and  French 
required  it.  Mr.  de  Champlain  had  had  nothing  more  at 
heart,  and  the  ChevaUer  de  Montmagny,  in  this  as  in  all 
other  respects,  entered  into  his  predecessor's  views,  but  he 


The  colony 
lauguishes. 


'  Relation  de  la  Nouvelle  France,  'They  were  six    in   May,   1(537 

1637,    p.    55 ;     Creuxius,    HiBtoria  (lAittor  of  bather  vie  Bn^l)eiif,  May 

Canadensis,  p.  208.  20,  IflliT) ;  Carnyon,  I^x-uments  In- 

'  Relation  de  la  Nouvelle  France,  edits,  xii.,  p.  101;  but  only  three 

1630,  p.  71.  early  in  1037  (lit.,  p.  105). 


HISTORY  OF  NEW  FRANCE. 


98 


Ir-iCil  both  men  nnti  moans.  Except  the  fur- trade,  which, 
thongli  tolerably  flourishing,  enriched  only  the  traders 
and  a  few  of  the  sottlerH,  every  thing  languished  for  want 
of  aid  :  so  that  the  annals  of  New  Franco,  during  its  early 
years,  treat  almost  exclusively  of  tlio  apostohc  labors  of 
the  missionaries  among  the  Indians,  of  which  they  give 
very  edifying  accounts.  Tliose  wore  at  the  time  extremely 
relished  in  Franco,  but  would  find  few  roadors  now.' 

It  is  not  easy  to  seo  by  what  fatality  a  company  as  pow- 
erful as  that  which  controlled  Canada,  and  regarding  that 
vast  country  as  its  domain,  thus  abandoned  a  colony  of 
which  such  gi-eat  hopes  had  been  conceived,  and  where  the 
wonderful  concert  of  all  the  members  composing  it,  the 
only  one  perhaps  in  the  New  World  showing  such  perfec- 
tion, assured  the  success  of  any  enterprise  undertaken 
there,  had  the  hundred  associates  chosen  to  make  the 
necessary  advances.  Several  nations  had  boon  flattered 
with  the  hope  that  our  alliance  would  enable  them  to  re- 
duce their  enemies  ;  and  it  was  the  saddest  point  of  all, 
that  this  made  them  succumb  the  sooner,  because,  relyi  )g 
on  the  aid  expected  from  us,  and  which  failed  them  in 
their  need,  thoy  were  not  sufficiently  on  their  guard." 

The  Iroquois,  on  their  side,  never  slept,  and,  to  give  the 
Hurons  no  time  to  profit  by  their  union  with  the  French, 
they  resorted  to  a  stratagem  which  succeeded.  This  was 
to  divide  them,  and  then  annihilate  them  in  detail.  They 
began  by  treating  of  peace  with  the  body  of  the  nation  ; 
then,  under  different  pretexts,  they  attacked  the  towns  more 
remote  from  the  centre,  persuading  the  rest  that  these  were 
only  private  quaiTols,  in  which  thoy  had  no  interest  to  in- 
terfere. The  Hurons  did  not  open  their  eyes  till,  so  to  say, 
thej  beheld  at  their  doors  a  conquering  enemy,  whose  very 


1635-6. 


'  Their  popularity  lias  revived. 
See  Dr.  0'{  alloplinn'B  {wpcr  before 
the  New  York  Historical  Society 
(Proceedings,  1847,  i)p.  140-,58:  Mon- 
treal, 1850),  which  led  to  a  reprint  of 


all  the  Relations,  in  three  vols.  80, 
Quebec,  1S.")8. 

'  The  trilx's  here  referred  to  nro 
the  Hurons,  Tionontntes  or  Petuns, 
Algonquins,  Nipissings. 


i  ! 


\^ 


The  Iro- 

quoirt  de- 
ceive the 
Illiror    '.)y 
a  fRif;iiod 
pcuce. 


M 


HISTORY  OF  NEW   FRANCE. 


1636. 


Benewiil  of 
tlie  war. 


Various  ex- 
peditions of 
the  iniH- 
BioDaries. 


nanio  filled  tho  whole  couutry  with  alarm.  Then  the  Iro- 
quois niisod  tho  mask.  Tho  pauic  increased  daily  among 
tho  Hurous,  and  they  lost  all  judgment,  to  such  an  extent 
that  they  could  scarcely  he  recognized.  Every  step  they 
made  was  a  mistake,  and  nothing  now  humbles  the  feeble 
remnant  of  that  nation  so  miich  as  the  remembrance  of 
their  i)rodigi<ms  l)liudness. 

Immediately  after  Mr.  do  Cham  plain's  last  exiDcdition 
against  these  Indians,  mentioned  in  the  previous  book, 
they  treated  with  the  Huron  nation  ;  and  there  is  no  doubt 
that,  had  not  that  nation  relied  on  the  peace  just  con- 
cluded, neither  the  French  nor  the  missionaries  would 
have  found  them  so  hauglity  and  indocile  as  they  appeared 
both  before  and  after  the  captiire  of  Quebec.  Yet  the 
Iroquois  soon  renewed  hostilities,  but  in  the  manner  just 
explained,  declaring  them  to  bo  only  private  quarrels  ; 
and  the  body  of  tho  nation  was  reassured  on  the  faith  of 
a  treaty  which  it  had  concluded  with  the  Cantons. 

At  last,  early  in  1686,'  the  Ii-oquois  threw  oft"  the  mask, 
and  appeared  in  arms  in  tho  midst  of  the  Huron  country.' 
Yet  this  irru])tiou  did  not  succeed.  The  few  French  who 
had  followed  the  missionaries  to  those  parts  presented  so 
bold  a  front,  that  the  enen.y  judged  it  proper  to  retire. 
This  retreat  made  the  Hurons  relapse  into  their  first  se- 
curity, and  the  Iroquois  profited  by  it  to  persevere  in  the 
plan  of  campaign  which  they  had  at  first  adopted.  At 
the  end  of  the  following  year  a  re-enforcement  of  evangeli- 
cal laborers  reached  St.  Joseph,  and  they  were  enough  to 
assign  one  to  each  of  tlie  principal  towns,  and  leave  some 
to  make  excursions  among  the  neighboring  tribes.' 

These  were  made  especially  in  the  direction  of  Lake  Ni- 
pissing ;  but  Fathers  Garnier  and  Chastelain,  who  were 


'  They  attacked  the   Hurons  as  '  Cliastelain  and  Gamier  went  up : 

early   as   1034 :   Relation,    1634,    p.  Relation,    l(i37,   p.   105 ;    Letter   of 

88.  Father  do  Brobouf,  May  20,  1037,  in 

'  Relation  de  la  Nouvelle  France  C'arayon,  Documents  Ineuits,  xii.,  p. 

1630,  p.  94.  161. 


95 


»637- 


IIISTOUY   OF  NEW   FUANCK. 

appointed,  dorived  from  their  paiuful  exjieditiou  only  the 
couHohiticni  of  havinf(  sutforod  much  and  si'ut  sovenil  chil- 
dren to  join  the  company  of  the  spotlcHs  Land),  by  adniiu- 
isterhig  baptism  to  them  as  they  were  about  to  expire.' 
Among  the  nations  whom  they  visited,  their  memoirs  note 
the  Byssiriniens."  I  have  made  every  effort  to  ascertain 
who  tliese  Indians  were,  and  where  they  resided,  and  can- 
not even  ascertain  to  wliich  of  the  two  motlier  tongues, 
the  Hiu'on  or  AJgouquiu,  they  belonged.  This  nation  not 
being  mentioned  after  this  time,  was  apparently  then  de- 
stroyed by  the  Iroquois,  Uko  several  others  whose  names 
have  reached  us." 

The  missionaries,  uudiscouraged  by  the  fruitlessness  of 
these  first  excursions,  continued  the  succeeding  years, 
almost  invarial)ly  with  the  same  want  of  success.  They 
were  sent  and  went  joyfuUj-,  sure  at  least  of  the  merit  of 
obedience,  and  fiattering  themselves  that  it  would  at  last 
give  fruit  to  their  toil.  Tliey  knew,  moreover,  that  they 
were  accomplishing  the  promise  of  the  Saviour  of  the 
world,  by  preaching  his  gospel  to  every  creature  ;  that 
their  ministry  was  confined  to  planting,  watering,  culti- 
vating ;  that  the  increase  depended  on  God  alone,  and 
does  not  aliect  the  reward  promised  to  the  laborers  whom 
the  Father  of  the  family  sends  into  his  vineyard.' 

But  what  chiefly  retarded  the  work  of  God  in  these  re- 
mote parts,  was  the  blockade  of  the  roads  by  the  Iroquois,  Vii'reo'Kiv-' 
who  kept  all  these  nations  in  alarm.     In  spite  of  all  the       '^"" 
precautions  taken  by  the  Chevalier  de  Montmaguy  to  con- 
ceal the  weakness  of  the  colony,  they  were  soon  informed, 


Tho  Iro- 


1! 


!      ( 


'  Relation  do  la  Nouvelle  France, 
1637,  p.  73. 

5  lb.,  p.  150. 

'  It  mny  bo,  that  in  printing  the 
Relation,  Hyasirinicns  was  put  for 
Niiuasiriniona  ;  for  I  find  the  Nipis- 
Bings,  the  real  AlpiHuiuins,  some- 
times thus  called. — C/utrlev.  There 
Ib  no  doubt  on  the  point.    The  Rela- 


tion for  1037  (p.  150)  says  Bissirin- 
iens  or  Sorcerers,  which  identifies 
them  as  tlie  Nipissiriniens — cuUfd 
Askioouani'hronon,  fir  Sorcerers,  by 
the  Hiirons  (Kelntion,  10;t9,  p.  S8  ; 
1041,  p.  81).  The  name  is  apparent- 
ly Water  Indians,  niliish  irini. 

■•  See   Relations   Uuronnes,  1037, 
et  seq. 


'JG 


HISTORY  OF  NEW   FRANCE. 


»637- 


EpUIcmio 

Riiiiiii;;  tliu 

Uuroiis, 


and  not  only  lost  all  fear  that  tlui  French  would  iutorforo 
witli  tlioir  drivinfjj  their  eneniios  to  the  wall,  but,  in  the 
month  of  Auf^ust,  1037,  tivo  hundrod  of  theso  Indians  had 
tho  boldness  to  como  and  insult  the  governor  at  Throe 
Rivers,  where  he  was,  and  carry  olf  before  liis  eyes,  with- 
out his  being  able  to  prevent  it,  thirty  Hurons  coming 
down  to  Quebye  with  a  load  of  furs." 

The  year  KJ-IH  begun  with  tho  Huron  missionaries  in  a 
way  to  give  hoptss  of  harvest  abundant  enough  to  atone 
for  the  sterility  of  previous  years.  Tho  country  was  vis- 
ited by  an  epidemic,  which  from  one  town  soon  spread  to 
all,  and  threatened  the  destruction  of  the  whole  nation. 
It  was  a  kind  of  dysentery,  which,  in  a  few  days,  hiu-ried  to 
the  grave  all  wliom  it  attackcid.  Tho  French  were  no  more 
exempt  than  tho  Indians,  but  tlioy  all  recovered.  This 
produced  two  good  effects  :  first,  those  Indians  wore  un- 
deceived who  persisted  in  believing  that  every  accident 
that  befell  them  was  caused  by  witchcraft :  this  they  could 
not  ascribe  to  the  missionaries,  seeing  that  even  they  did 
not  escape  tho  malady  :  second,  that  the  Indians  learned 
to  treat  the  sick  better  than  they  had  done,  observing  that 
the  French  easily  recovered  by  means  of  the  treatment 
they  adopted  ;  for  skilful  as  these  people  are  in  curing 
wounds  and  fractures,  they  are  unable  to  treat  internal 
tdiaeas(!S,  which  require  attention  and  experiouce  in  the 
'  physician,  with  patience  and  docility  in  the  patient.  Fi- 
nally, the  charity  and  generosity  with  which  they  beheld 
the  missionaries  j>art  with  all  their  remaining  remedies 
and  palliatives  to  relieve  them,  and  the  surprising  cures 
they  effected,  gained  the  hearts  of  those  even  who  till  then 
had  been  loudest  in  their  opposition." 


'  Relation  de  la  Nouvolle  France,  which  Father  Brebeufgave,  after  the 

1637,  pp.  88,  89  ;  Creuxius,  Ilistoria  Indian  faHliion,  his  atsatnion  (death- 

CanndcnsiB.  bnnqiiet):  Rclntidn,  l(i;J8,  p.  44.   The 

'  Ht'lat.  do  la  Nouv.  France,  IflliS,  following  Relation  (l(i:!!))  does  not 

pp.  33-.V,).     Tlie  year  Hi^i  was  the  altofifether  justify  the  progress  here 

time  of  their  great  persecution,  iu  indicated. 


HISTORY  OP  NEW  FKANCB. 


97 


It  was  not  in  Canada  only  that  an  interest  was  taken  in 
the  I'onvtu'siou  of  the  heathtsn.  Tlie  Ji'suits,  in  their  let- 
ters to  France,  had  re])resented  that  were  they  in  a  ])08i- 
tion  to  relievo  the  wretchedness  of  many  wanderuig  Indians, 
many  would  bo  gained  to  Christ ;  that  to  effect  this  it  was 
only  necessary  to  assemble  all  who  could  be  induced  to 
lead  a  more  si  dentary  life,  in  order  t(j  accustom  them 
gi-adually  to  cultivate  the  ground  and  oani  their  food  and 
clothing  by  their  labor  and  industry.  These  representa- 
tions induced  many  pious  persons  to  enter  into  a  holy 
emulation  to  contribute  to  a  work  so  vitally  connected  with 
God's  glory.  Whole  communities  in  Paris  and  the  prov- 
inces imposed  on  themselves  penitential  works,  and  offered 
public  prayers  to  move  heaven  in  favor  of  the  Canada  In- 
dians.' 

All  the  nobles  of  the  court,  the  princesses  of  the  blood, 
the  queen  hors(>lf,  entered  into  the  missionaries'  views ; 
and  when  these  religious  proposed  to  establish  at  Quebec 
Ursulinos  and  Hospital  nuns,  a  great  many  sisters  of  the 
two  orders  most  earnestly  solicited  the  prefovencc  when 
the  enterprise  was  to  be  carried  out,^  capable  as  it  was  of 
alarming  those  of  their  sex,  and  so  )ie»v  to  their  profes- 
sion. But  no  one  seconded  more  efficaciously  the  zeal  of 
the  preachers  of  the  gospel  than  the  Commander  do  Sil- 
lery.  This  nobleman,  who  embraced  nothing  more  readily 
than  what  would  advance  God's  glory,  relished  exceed- 
ingly the  project  of  an  Indian  town,  as  proposed  to  him 
by  the  Jesuits,  to  bo  composed  only  of  Christians  and 
pi-oselytes,  where  they  would  be  sheltered  from  the  insults 
of  the  Iroquois  by  the  speedy  succor  they  could  obtain 
fi-om  the  French,  and  guarded  against  famine  by  the  care 
to  be  taken  to  make  them  cultivate  the  ground.' 


1638. 


Interpst  in 

Kriuiuo  ill 

lliu  coiivcr- 

HillU  uf  tlio 

liiiliuun. 


I    I 


<l 


■,  ( 


•M 


1:  I 


I'' 


'  Relation  de  la  Nouvelle  Friince, 
161)5,  p.  2;  KiliO,  p.  3;  lOliO,  j).  6 ; 
Creuxius,  Ilistoria  Canadeusis,  p. 
222. 

'  Relation,  1G37,  p.  5. 

'  liulatidii  de  la  Nouvelle  France, 

Vol,.  II.-7 


1638,  p.  17  ;  LeUers  of  Silli  ey  and 
Montiiiagny,  in  the  Vie  de  I'illustre 
Servitcur  de  Dieu,  Noel  Brulart  de 
Billery,  Clievalier  de  Malte,  et  Biiilly 
Coinmandeur  (frand'  Croix  dan« 
I'ordre  ^120,  Paris,  1843),  pp.  71-4  ; 


,    I 


91  HISTORY  OF  NEW  FRANCE. 

1638.         With  this  view,  he  sent  workmen  to  Qnoboc  in  Ifi.*}/,  and 
■— "^r— -'  rocommoiuk'd  Father  lo  Jouno,  to  whom  ho  (liroi-teil  tiiom, 
Foundation  to  HuUict  an  advanta^'oous  spot  for  tlio  sottlomont.     Tiio 
ufwy  «"•   superior  conducted  them,  immodiati-ly  after  tiicir  arrival, 
to  a  point  fcmr  miles  above  the  city,  on  the  river,  and 
there  they  first  boj^an  to  prepare  shelter  for  themselves.' 
The  place  has  since  always  borne  the  name  of  Sylleri. 
These  ])r(!parations,  the  object  of  which  it  had  been  deemed 
inexpedient  to  disclose  to  the  Indians,  led  some  Monta<^nez 
to  conceive  the  idea  of  profiting  by  the  new  settlement ; 
and  they  opened  the  nuitter  to  Father  lo  Jeuue,  who  as- 
sured them  that,  for  his  part,  they  would  have  no  difficulty 
in  obtaining  their  wish  ;  but  ho  added  that  ho  could  de- 
cide nothing  without  the  consent  of  the  master  of  the  set- 
tlement. 

He  was,  however,  well  aware  of  the  commander's  inten- 
tion ;  but  his  experience  made  him  consider  this  reserve 
necessary  with  Indians,  who  easily  persuade  themselves 
that  what  is  too  easily  given  is  due  to  them  or  given  from 
motives  of  interest.  The  precipitate  zeal  which,  ignorant 
of  the  Indian  character,  led  sometimes  to  an  opposite 
course,  was  sure  to  bo  followed  by  tardy  regret."  The  con- 
sent of  the  Chevalier  do  S}'lleri  arrived  the  next  year  by 
the  return  of  vessels  from  Franco  ;  and  twelve'  large 
Christian  families  took  possession  of  the  place  intended 
for  them,  and  made  it  their  home.  They  were  not  long 
alone,  and  in  a  few  years  this  settlement  became  a  consid- 


Lettere  of  Father  lo  Jeuno  (ib.,  pp. 
164-C).  'Hillcry  was  l)orn  in  Decem- 
ber, 1577,  his  tiimily  beiiij^  allied  to 
that  of  Villegajjnon,  already  known 
in  thin  history.  He  was  ainl)a»Hador 
to  Madrid  and  also  to  Home,  living 
in  frreat  splendor,  lie  finallj  re- 
nounced th(^  world,  and  reci'iving 
orders,  lived  in  retirement.  He  was 
a  friend  of  St.  Vincent  di-  Paul  and 
St.  Jane  Frances  de  Cliantal,  and 
greatly  aided  their  good  works.    He 


died  Sept.  20,  1640.  The  church 
which  he  foundetl  and  was  buried  in 
having  been  given  to  a  Protestant 
congregation,  the  Visitation  nuns,  in 
]8;i5,  removed  his  body  to  their  con- 
vent in  the  Hue  St.  F.tienne  de  Mont, 
and  8ul)se<iuently  to  the  IJue  d'Eufer. 

'  Hel.  de  la  Nouv.  Fr.,  1U38,  p.  17. 

'J  lb.,  p.  18. 

^  This  should  be  two.  The  fam- 
ilies of  Negabamat  and  Nenaskou- 
mai  were  the  first:  Rel.,  1U3!),  p.  10. 


n I.STORY  OP  NEW  FRAiiCE. 


99 


.638. 


ernl)l(>  towii,  composod  of  forvont  ChriHtiana,  who  clcannl 

ft  pretty  larj^'o  tract,  and  wuro  gradually  formed  to  all  the  ^— y^— ' 

duties  of  eivil  society.' 

The  neif,'lil)orhood  of  Quebec  and  the  exemplary  conduct  K.iifyinif 
of  its  people  contributed  not  a  little  to  {,'round  the  now  in-  UwiuC\"l 
habitants  of  Sylleri  in  piety,  and  inspire  them  with  a  kind  ""^bl^'""' 
of  f,'overnment  suited  to  their  character.  All  led  a  very 
regular  life,  and  most  of  them  displayiul  a  fervor  which 
filled  old  Christians  with  shame,  :.ipressing  them  with  the 
im])ortance  of  not  being  outstripped  in  piety  and  regu- 
larity by  savage  neophytes.  All  know  how  most  colonies 
in  America  were  formed  ;  but  we  must  do  this  justice  to 
New  Franco,  that  the  origin  of  almost  all  the  families  still 
subsisting  there  is  pure,  and  free  from  those  stains  which 
opulence  effaces  with  difficulty.  Its  first  settlers  wore 
either  mechanics,  who  wore  always  engaged  in  useful  la- 
bors, or  persons  of  good  family,  who  emigrated  with  the 
sole  view  of  living  there  in  greater  quiet,  and  preserving 
more  certainly  their  religion  ;  a  thing  impossible  then  in 
many  provinces  of  France,  where  the  Hugiieuots  were  very 
powerful.  I  fear  contradiction  on  this  point  less,  as  I  lived 
with  some  of  these  first  settlers,  then  almost  centenarians, 
thtiir  children,  and  many  of  their  grandchildren,  all  most 
worthy  people,  estimable  for  their  probity,  their  candor, 
and  the  solid  piety  which  they  professed,  as  well  as  for 
their  whitened  locks  and  the  remembrance  of  the  services 
which  they  had  rendered  the  colony.' 

Not  but  that  in  these  first  years,  and  still  more  as  time 
wore  on,  faces  were  met  with  of  persons  whom  the  involved 
state  of  their  affairs  or  misconduct  had  forced  to  leave 
France,  and  others  of  whom  the  authorities  sought  to  purge 
the  state  and  families ;  but  as  persons  of  these  classes  came 
only  in  small  bodies,  and  great  care  was  taken  not  to  leave 
them  together,  the  colonists  had  almost  always  the  couso- 


1  , 


Mi. 


.  f. 


i  I 

I  I 


'  Ui'lation  de  la  NouveUe  France,        '  Ferland,  Notes  sur  los  Begistree 
1630,  p.  10.  de  Quebt-c. 


lUO 


HISTORY  OP  NE^V  FRANCE. 


1638. 


Entnhllnh- 
iiiwii  111'  I  ho 
l^'ilul 
r»ii- 

liOU  IIUUK. 


iiiiHiiiii, 

aiiil  rr»i 


I    }i 


lation  of  soon  socing  thom  reform,  in  consoqnonco  of  the 
good  cxiiniplo  lu'foro  their  oyt's,  nml  muko  a  iluty  of  tiie 
ucccHKity  they  wero  under  of  livinj,'  like  true  Christiiiiirt, 
in  H  eouutry  where  every  thing  alhired  thom  to  good  and 
Avith(hi!W  them  from  evil.' 

Two  tilings  were  still  wanting  to  this  well-regulatod 
eolony,  namely,  u  si-hool  for  the  instruction  of  girls  and 
a  hospital  for  the  treatment  of  the  siek.  The  Jesuits  had, 
for  some  years,  taken  steps  to  obtain  those  two  advan- 
tages ;  but  they  carried  their  views  further.  In  soliciting 
the  foundation  of  a  hospital,  they  had  the  design  of  aid- 
ing the  colonists,  most  of  whom  were  poor  and  without 
resource  in  sickness ;  but  it  was  also  their  aim  to  win  tlie 
Indians  more  and  more,  by  taking  caro  of  their  sick  in  a 
house  entirely  devoted  to  charity  :'  and  their  project  of 
bringing  over  Ursulines  from  France  contemplated  the 
education  of  little  Indian  girls,  as  well  as  that  of  the  daugh- 
ters of  the  French. 

The  former  of  these  two  projects  was  approved  almost 
as  soon  as  proposed,  and  its  execution  experienced  no  de- 
lay. The  Duchess  d'Aiguillon'  wished  to  bo  the  foundress 
of  the  Hotel-Dieu  ;'  and  she  ap])lied  to  the  Hospital  nuns 
of  Dieppe  for  sisters  .suited  for  such  an  undertaking. 
These  pious  recluses  accepted  with  joy  and  gi'atitude  so 
beautiful  an  ojiportunity  of  sacrificing  every  thing  they 
held  dear  in  the  world  to  serve  the  sick  poor  in  Canada. 
All  offered  to  go  ;  all  with  tears  asked  to  bo  selected  ;  but 
only  three  were  chosen,  and  they  held  themselves  in  readi- 
ness to  go  by  the  first  vessels.' 


'  liclation  di"  la  Nouvello  Pranw, 
1030,  i>.  42  ;  Ferlanil,  Cours  dlliis- 
ti)ire,  !>]).  274,  ."ill. 

'  Relation  de  la  Nouvello  France, 
1035,  p.  !>  ;  lOIiO,  p.  5. 

'  Dui'hcas  d'Aiguillon,  nieco  of 
Cardinal  Hicluslieu. 

■*  Hiilatiiin  de  la  NouvoUe  France, 
1038.  I).  3  ;  l(!;i!t,  p.  (i ;  Judiorenu 
Ilistuire  do  I'lIoU'l-Dieu  do  CJuebec, 


a  Montauban,  che%  Joroeme  Lngier, 
imprimeur  du  Hoy,  17.'31,  p.  8. 

'  Jucbereau,  HiBtoire  d«  I'llotel- 
Dieii,  p.  4  ;  Hagucneau,  I^a  Vic  dc  la 
Mrrc  Catherine  de  Saint  Aupustin, 
KeligievBO  Hospitaliore  do  lu  Mineri- 
cordo  de  Quebec  en  la  Nciuvelle 
Franco,  Ti  Paris,  Florentin  Lambert, 
M.UC.LXXI,  p.  40. 


HISTORY  OF  NEW  FRANCE. 

Tho  foundfttion  of  tho  UrHulinoH  was  attondcd  with 
grofttor  (lillicnlt}'.  Tli»!  (V.iiiula  (!<)in|miiy  woulil  not  touch 
it,  dci'iiiiii},'  it,  jmilialily,  not  of  Hueh  ur;,'ciit  lu'ccsaity. 
This  afl'iiir  iiail  bcou  morn  tiian  onco  on  tli»!  point  of  (exe- 
cution, and  had  always  failed  at  tho  nioinont  when  succums 
Hft'incd  oortain.  At  last  a  younj^  widow  of  rank,  Madanio 
do  la  Poltrio,  caino  forward,  whoso  plans  woro  found  nioro 
practioahlo  and  whoso  oouni^'o  was  more  constant.'  I 
havo  rohitcul  in  anothor  work,'  in  dotail,  tho  wondorful  eir- 
ounistnncoH  that  occurrod,  and  tho  mannor  in  which  tho 
illustrious  foundrt  's.  aftor  surmounting,'  a])par(^utly  invin- 
cihlo  obstacles,  (hnoted  her  means  and  hi  r  person  to  tlio 
good  work,  which  Providence  had  showu  her,  and  con- 
firmed by  a  striking  miracle.' 

From  Alen(;on,  where  sho  resided,  sho  proceeded  to 
Paris,  to  settle  tho  business  of  tho  fimndation  ;  then  to 
Tours,  to  obtain  Ursuline  nuns.  Thoiico  sho  drew  tho  il- 
lustrious Mary  of  tho  Incarnation,  tho  Teresa  of  Now 
Franco,  to  use  tho  expression  of  tho  greatest  men  of  the 
hist  century  ;  and  IMary  of  8t.  Joseph,  whom  New  France, 
who  possessed  her  for  a  little  while,  regards  as  one  of  its 
tut(>lary  angels.  Thence  sho  repaired  to  Dieppe,  where  she 
had  ordered  a  vessel  to  be  chartered.     There  sho  accpiired 


101 


'  Rflation  de  la  Nouvelle  Franco, 
163!),  p.  (5. 

'  Clmrlovoix,  Vio  de  la  M:'^re  Ma- 
rio do  rint'arimtiiin,  InstitutriPii  & 
preinicre  Su|H'rifurM  des  UrHulincs 
de  la  Nouvelli'  Franco,  a  Pariw,  choz 
L<iui»-Ant.  'I'homoliu,  MDCOXXIV, 
p.  10"),  etc. 

'  Mother  St.  Thomas,  Life  of  Ma- 
dame do  la  Poltrio  (Magdalen  do 
Chauvigny),  New  York,  185!),  p.  80, 
etc. ;  Casgraln,  lliHtoiro  do  la  Mere 
Mario  del'Incnmation,  Quebec,  1864, 
8o,  p.  207,  etc.  ;  Choix  des  Lettres 
Historiques  do  la  Venerable  Mere 
Mario  do  I'Incarnation,  Clermont- 
Ferrand,  lao,  1857,  p.  1,  etc.    Ma- 


dame Magdalen  do  Chauvigny, 
daughter  of  .Mr.  do  Chnuvigny,  Sieur 
de  V'aubegon,  was  born  at  AleM(;on, 
in  160;i.  At  tho  ago  of  seventeen 
she  married  Charles  de  ( i rival.  Sei- 
gneur de  la  I'eltrio,  a  gentleman  of 
the  house  of  Touvoys,  who  died  five 
years  after.  When  al«)ut  carrying 
out  her  Canadian  projei't  she  weut 
thnmgh  a  formal  marriage;  eereinony 
with  Mr.  de  Uernieres,  treasurer  of 
France,  so  as  to  free  liorself  from  the 
legal  control  of  her  family.  Slie 
never  became  an  Ursuline,  but  do- 
votiHl  her  life  and  services  to  them. 
Sho  died  in  tho  convent  at  Queliec, 
Nov.  18, 1071,  aged  sixty-eight. 


i6ig. 


i\ 


n 


1 1 


102 


HISTOUY  OP  NKW   FUANCB. 


1^39.  a  tliinl  UrHnlind,  nnd,  on  tI»o  4th  of  Miiy,  IfiUl),  hIio  «>m- 
-^  »  '-  "  liiirkt'd  with  tht)  Ilospitiil  muiih  mid  Fiitlitr  Ihirthnloincw 
Yiiiioiid,  wlio  wtiH  ^oin^  out  to  miccct-d  Futhcrki  .fdiiiio  iig 
Bu|i<>rioi'-(li'iicral  of  th«t  MinHiouH,  and  who  waH  hIho  c-on- 
thictiii}^  II  fresh  supply  of  iipoMtoUc?  hilioriTH.  After  a  long 
and  dtiii^i  rous  voyiigo,  thin  liu'^ti  ]iiit'ty  rciiclicd  Quobco 
ou  tho  Int  of  Auj^ust.' 
Thoirre-  iVothuiK  wuH  oHiittud  to  iniprcRS  on  tho  Indiaun  how 
*"''  ""'  niucli  tilt'  Fienoh  hud  their  intoreHt  at  hoart,  and  tho  hiiI- 
vatiitii  of  tiiiir  houIm,  when  women  «!ven  and  youii^^  K'''l>*, 
brou^lit  up  in  ahumhuiei^  and  luxury,  without  Hhrinklng 
from  the  perils  of  tho  Hoa,  litft  a  pleiisant,  tranipiil  lifo  to 
ccmio  to  iiiHtruct  thuir  childrou  and  tako  caro  of  thoir 
nick,  Tho  day  when  so  nmny  persons  thus  ardently  do- 
sired  arrived  was  a  holiday  tor  tho  wholo  city  ;  all  labor 
ceased,  and  tlie  shops  were  elosed.  The  governor  roceivod 
tbeuc  heroines  at  the  rivor-side,  at  tho  head  of  his  troops, 
wlio  were  under  arms,  and  with  tho  sound  of  cannon. 
After  the  th'st  comjilimeiits,  ho  led  them,  amid  tho  accla- 
mations of  the  pe(  le,  to  the  church,  where  tho  To  Doum 
was  chanted  in  thanks^'iving.' 

Tlii'se  jiious  women,  ou  their  side,  and  thoir  noble  con- 
ductress, in  the  first  transport  of  their  joy  kissed  tho  earth 
for  which  they  hiul  so  long  sighed,  whicli  they  promised 
thems»'lves  to  water  with  their  sweat,  and  did  not  even 
desi)air  of  dyeing  with  their  blood.  French  mingled 
M'ith  Lidians,  pagans  oven  confounded  with  Christians, 
for  several  days  untiringly  continued  to  make  all  rescjund 
with  their  cries  of  joy,  and  give  a  thousand  blessings  to 
Him  who  alone  could  inspire  the  feeblest  of  mankind  with 


Their  for 
vor. 


'  ("harli'voix,  Vie  dt;  ta  Mt'^ro  Ma- 
rie di'  riiirarnntion,  \i\t,  255-0;) ; 
Chniiraiiuiit,  Viti  dii  If.  P.  I'icrro 
Jotji'lih  Murle  ( 'liaumonot,  Now  York, 
1858,  p.  50.  Tliey  ainic  in  a  Imrque 
comiimndcd  l)y  Jiimcs  ViiHtcl,  ('at- 
tain Bonti'injM  c<>iiiniiiii(ling  tliu 
llt'ct :  Lt'a  L'rtiuliiiL-8  dc  (juubuc,  do- 


puis  lour  •"'tablisM^ment  jiiequ'ii  nos 
joure,  Quclicc,  1803,  8o,  i.,  p.  21. 

''  Ki'laticin  de  la  Noiivollt*  Franco, 
1630,  p.  H;  Clmrli'volx,  Vic  dn  la 
Mrrc  Mari(^  dc  l'In<'urnation,  p.  203  ; 
("rcuxiuH,  Hist.  C'annd.,  p.  253.  Tim 
olliciul  act  of  reception  is  {.'ivi'n  in  llie 
Ureuliucu  dc  Quulicc,  i.,  p.  21,  n. 


lllsroUY   i)V  NKW    KHANCK 


1o:j 


Buoh  oniiriif,'('  nnd  fdHitudo.  At  tlio  Hi^lit  of  tlio  Iiidiaii  i6jy. 
c'liltiiiH,  to  which  tlic  iiuiiH  wen*  nuiductcd  tho  (hiy  after  — "y"—' 
their  arrivid,  they  were  Kei/»'d  wKli  new  traiis|iortH  of  joy. 
The  poverty  and  niitidiiiess  pn^vailiiij?  in  thi-in  all  did  not 
repel  thi'ni ;  and  u  Hi^ht  ho  capaliK)  of  chillinj;;  their  zeal 
Herved  only  to  f,'ive  it  new  life.  Tiiey  evinced  n  great  im- 
patience to  lie;.;in  the  exen-iso  of  their  functions.' 

Madame  do  hi  Teltrie,  who  had  never  dt'sirod  to  he  rn»ng«nt 
rich,  and  wlu.  had  ho  cheerfidly  lieconie  [x.or  for  Christ'H  '^ul'.Xi,.'' 
Hake,  could  not  refrain  from  saying  that  she  wished  to  havo 
at  her  disposal  (>nough  to  draw  all  the  nations  of  Canada 
to  a  knowledge  of  the  true  (}od  ;  and  sho  took  a  firm 
HiHolution,  which  Hho  ol)Herv(Hl  her  wholo  life,  to  Hparo 
herself  in  nothing  where  the  Halvation  of  souls  was  to  he 
effected.  Her  zeal  led  her  even  to  till  the  soil  with  hor 
own  hands,  to  have  wherewith  to  relievo  the  jioor  neo- 
phytes. In  ft  few  days  sho  had  stripi)ed  herself  of  all  sho 
had  retained  for  her  own  use,  so  as  to  reduce  herself  to 
want  of  actual  necessaries,  in  order  to  clothe  thc!  children 
brought  to  her  almost  miked  ;  and  her  whohi  life,  which 
was  prolonged  many  years,  was  but  a  series  of  acts  of  tho 
most  heroic  charity.  They  havo  forever  endeared  hor 
memory  to  all  New  France,  where  the  fruit  of  her  good 
work  is  perpetuated,  to  tho  gi-eat  udvantago  of  all  that 
colony." 

After  tho  visits  of  which  I  havo  spoken,  the  nuns  of  ^.-^^^  ,^,,^^ 
tho  two  institutes  embraced  each  other  atTectionately,  and  "fi'ioouiiB. 
then  separated  to  enter  their  several  cloisters,  the  Ursn- 
lines  at  Quebec,'  and  the  Hospital  nuns  at  Sylleri,'  where 


'  Itolation  (Ic  la  Noiivelle  France, 
1039,  p.  8;  Jucli(!n'au,  llidtoiro  do 
I'Hoti'lDiiui,  p.  14  ;  Cliarlfvoix,  Vie 
de  la  MiTV  Mario  do  I'lncarnation, 
p.  204. 

'  I!elntiou  do  in  Nouvoilo  Franco, 
1072,  pp.  57,  05  ;  CroxixiuB,  IIiHtoria 
t'anadonsia,  \i\>.  2.5*1,  25(i. 

"  Tills  first  convent  wos  in  tho 
lowor  town,  on  tlio  (juay,  a  site  now 


oociipliHl  by  a  Mr.  Blunoliard :  Los 
I'rsulincH  do  liiii'lx^c,  I ,  j).  27. 

*  Itciution  di'  la  Nouvollc  P^ranco, 
lfl3i»,  p.  8.  Tl.i-y  did  not  k<>  t"  i^il- 
lery  to  romdo.  A  liouBo  liad  hern 
conimencod  at  QuoImt  ;  Imt  finding 
it  unmiitiil'lo,  tlicy  oociiipicd  t('iiii<v 
rarily  a  now  Ikhiho, Husignrd  totlioni 
by  till!  j;<iv('rncir(.Iu(ln'ri'au,  IIintoiro 
de  I'llotoi-Diou,  pp.  15, 17). 


'!' 


104 


HISTORY  OP  NEW  FRANCE. 


1639.  the  minibtr  of  Indians  increased  from  day  to  day,  and 
'•""r-^^  wIk'VO  they  couid  readily  receive  the  sick  from  the  city  and 
country.  Nothing  could  be  more  cramped  or  less  furnished 
than  these  convents.  The  servants  of  the  Lord  took 
all  the  inconvenience  for  themselves,  the  sick  and  their 
pupils  experiencing  none  of  it.  Yet  God  wished  to  subject 
both  to  tho  severest  trials.  The  Ursuliue  seminary  was 
first  attacked  by  small-pox,'  and  an  epidemic  brought  to 
the  hospital  more  sick  than  there  were  beds  or  even  rooms 
to  put  them  in.' 

These  afflictions  did  not  disconcert  the  nuns.  They 
provided  for  all  in  a  way  not  easily  conceived,  and  never 
was  seer,  more  clearly  what  the  power  of  charity  can 
effect.  "What  surprised  all  Avas,  that  in  such  a  prostration, 
so  extreme  a  change  of  life  and  climate,  with  coarse  food, 
great  hardships,  and  the  privation  of  all  the  comforts 
which  custom  has  made  necessaries  of  life,  these  holy 
women,  incessantly  amid  the  sick,  long  enjoyed,  almost 
without  exception,  perfect  health,'  and  were  able  to  add 
to  their  painful  labors  the  study  of  Indian  languages.* 
The  Canaiia  So  mucli  Spiritual  succur,  arriving  at  once  from  France, 
»ti"l'i'ieg-  could  not  but  give  a  great  impulse  to  religious  affairs. 
^"cofony"'  Great  changes  indeed  took  place  among  the  Indians,  and 
it  was  only  necessary  to  folloAV  up  these  first  steps  to 
bring  most  of  the  nations  of  Canada  into  the  bosom  of  the 
Church.  The  outlay  made  at  Sylleri  to  gather  the  newly 
converted  and  those  who  were  anxious  to  be  instnxcted  ; 
tho  two  establi^hiuents  just  mentioned ;  all  the  missions 
re-enforced  by  unwearied  men,  who  never  spared  them- 
selves ;  the  piety  and  charity  of  the  chief  settlers,  v,'ho 
■  refused  nothing  to  aid  them,  even  to  lending  their  own 
beds  for  the  use  of  the  sick,  made  this  one  of  those 
precious  moments  which  it  is  all-important  to  seize,  and 


'  Charlevoix's  Life,  p.  205  ;  C  aux-        ^  The  nuns  all  fell  sick  :  Juche- 

ius,  p.  258,  Lcs  Ursulinos  dd  Quiv    reau,  p.  20. 
bee,  i.,  p.  20.  *  lb.,  p.  18  ;  Les  Ursulines  de  Quer 

"  Juchereau,  p.  19.  bee,  i.,  p.  28. 


HISTORY  OF  NEW  FRANCE. 


105 


1640. 


which  never  return  when  allowed  to  pass  without  1)cing 
improved  to  the  utmost. 

Minds  in  Fninco  and  Amei-ica  wore  ceHainly  in  the  l)est 
possible  disposition  to  settle  tlio  colony  and  establish  all 
branches  of  trade  that  so  good  a  foundation  could  pro- 
duce ;  but  the  Company  of  a  Hundred  Associates  remained 
in  a  perfectly  inexplicable  inaction,  and  the  result  was 
that  the  missions  and  communities,  which  should  have 
drawn  their  chief  aid  from  the  colony,  wer(\  almost  its  only 
supi)ort.  Yet  the  fund  on  which  the  missionaries  and 
nuns  siibsisted  was  in  a  great  measure  only  pr(;carious. 
It  could  not  be  expected  to  contimie  always  on  the  same 
footing,  and,  in  fact,  gi-adually  diminished. 

The  war  broke  out  again  with  new  fierceness  between  rontimm- 
the  Iroquois  and  Hurons  ;  but  although  the  former  often 
had  the  advantage,  for  the  reasons  given  already,  the  lat-  n)'"',"  "'° 


f  tlio 


imd 


ter,  who  had  lost  none  of  their  pristine  valor,  occasionally  '■'"'i""'^- 
retrieved  their  fortunes.  One  day,  when  the  missionaries 
were  all  assembled  in  a  town  to  confer  u]K)n  their  affairs, 
tidings  came  of  the  defeat  of  a  considerable  party  of  Iro- 
quois, and  a  prisoner  was  brought  in  Avho  was  burnt,  but 
who  had  the  happiness  of  passing  through  this  species  of 
hell  to  the  abode  of  the  elect — at  least,  if  we  may  judge 
by  the  dispositions  in  which  he  seemed  to  die.  As  he  is 
the  fijst  adult  of  this  nation  known  to  have  received  bap- 
tism ,  I  have  deemed  it  not  amiss  to  give  the  principal  cir- 
cumstances of  his  death,  which  I  draw  from  the  details  of 
his  torture,  given,  in  one  of  his  letters,  by  Father  de  Bre- 
beuf,  an  eye-witness.' 

As  soon  as  the  i^risoner  reached  the  village,  the  sachems    tiio  first 
held  a  council  to  decide  his  fate  ;  and  the  conclusion  was 
that  he  should  be  put  in  the  hands  of  an  old  chief,  in 
order  to  rei)lace,  if  he  so  chose,  one  of  his  nephews  taken 
by  the  Iro(piois,  or  to  dispose  of  him  as  he  saw  fit.     On 


Iroquois 
C'hristiun. 


;    t 


*  i 


I 


'  Rcl,  l(!;i7  (Huron),  p.  109.  Creux-  8.  Nicolas  (IliHtoria  Ornoral  de  los 
iu8  (i.,  p.  ()()!))  rfu-rs  to  an  Iroquois  Hi'liffiosos  Dose  di;  S.  Agustin,  Ma- 
Augustinian  in  Spain.     Andres  de     drid,  16G4)  may  exi>laiu  it. 


,  ) 


\ 


106 


niSTORY  OF  NEW  FRANCE. 


1639.  the  other  hand,  Father  de  Brebcnf  was  no  sooner  informed 
of  what  was  passing  tlian  ho  hastened  to  the  prisoner,  deter- 
mined not  to  leave  his  side  till  ho  had  opened  to  him  the 
way  of  salvation.  He  first  perceived  him  amid  a  band  of 
warriors,  clothed  in  a  new  beaver  robe,  with  a  wampum 
belt  around  his  neck,  and  another  aronud  his  head,  like  a 
diadem.  He  was  made  to  sing  without  giving  him  a 
moment's  relaxation,  but  ho  was  not  ill-ti'eated.  What 
most  astonished  the  missionary  was  that  he  was  as  tran- 
quil, and  had  a  countenance  as  serene,  as  if  he  had  suf- 
fered nothing  or  was  sure  of  his  life  ;  yet  ho  had  endiu'ed 
much  in  the  first  days  of  his  captivity,  and  had  more  to 
fear  than  to  hope  from  the  futiu'e. 

Father  de  Brebeuf  was  invited  to  make  him  sing,  ac- 
cording to  custom  :  but  he  excused  himself,  and  approach- 
ing him  a  little  nearer,  he  remarked  that  one  of  his  hands 
had  been  crushed  between  stones,  and  one  of  his  fingers 
tern  off ;  that  two  fingers  of  the  other  hand  were  gone, 
cut  off  with  an  axe  ;  and  that  the  only  dressing  applied  to 
these  wounds  was  a  few  leaves,  bound  with  strips  of  bark. 
In  addition  to  this,  the  joints  of  his  arms  were  burnt,  and 
on  one  ho  had  a  deep  gash.  He  had  been  reduced  to  this 
state  on  his  march  ;  for,  from  the  moment  he  had  entered 
the  first  Hui'on  town,  he  had  received  only  good  treat- 
ment. Every  cabin  had  feasted  him,  and  a  young  woman 
had  been  assigned  him  to  act  as  a  wife.  In  a  word,  to  see 
him  among  these  Indians,  no  one  would  have  supposed 
that  people  who  showed  him  so  much  friendship  would  be 
so  many  demons  furiously  tormenting  him. 

Father  do  Brebeuf,  who  had  every  liberty  to  converse 
with  him,  began  by  telling  him  that  although  he  could  do 
nothing  to  mitigate  his  pains,  ho  -washed,  at  least,  to  teach 
him  to  suffer  them — not  i)recisely  as  a  brave,  to  acquire  a 
glory  that  would  be  useless  to  him  after  death,  but  from  a 
more  solid  and  elevated  motive  ;  that  this  motive  was  the 
well-gnjunded  hojie  that  his  pains  would  be  followed  by  a 
perfect  and  endless  happiness.     Ho  then  briefly  explained 


HISTORY  OP  NEW  FRANCE. 


107 


to  him  the  most  essential  articles  of  Christian  doctrine,  and 
lie  found  him  not  only  docile,  but,  contrary  to  the  usual 
custom  of  Indians,  very  attentive,  and  taking  pleasure  in 
■what  was  told  him.  Ho  profited  by  this  good  disposition, 
and  believed  that  he  saw  Grace  working  powerfully  in  the 
heart  of  this  captive.  He  completed  his  instruction,  bap- 
tized him,  and  called  him  Jim'p/i.' 

He  then  obtained  permission  to  take  him  with  him 
every  evening  and  keep  him  during  the  night.  He  would 
have  desired  more,  but  the  fate  of  the  prisoner  did  not 
dcjiend  on  those  from  whom  he  could  have  oblained  his 
deliverance.  His  wounds  gave  him  much  to  suffer,  as 
they  swarmed  with  worms.  He  earnestly  asked  that  they 
should  be  taken  out ;  but  it  was  impossible  to  do  this,  the 
vermin  burying  themselves  at  every  attempt  to  extract 
them.  The  feasts  continued,  always  in  his  name  ;  and  he 
did  the  honors,  singing  till  he  was  hoarse.  He  was  then 
taken  from  town  to  town,  compelled  to  sing  all  the  way. 
He  had  no  rest,  except  when  Father  de  Brebeuf  or  some 
other  missionary  had  permission  to  entertain  him.  Then 
he  was  not  only  not  interrupted,  but  all  the  Indians  gath- 
ered around  to  hear  the  Father,  and  many  j^rofited  by 
what  they  heard. 

At  last  they  reached  the  village  of  the  chief  to  whom 
the  prisoner  had  been  given,"  and  who  had  not  yet  de- 
clared the  decision  to  which  ho  had  come.  Joseph  ap- 
peared before  this  sovereign  arbiter  of  his  destiny  with 
the  countenance  of  a  man  to  whom  life  and  death  are  in- 
different. He  was  not  long  in  suspense  as  to  what  was  to 
befall  him.  "  Nephew,"  said  the  old  chief,  "  you  cannot 
conceive  the  joy  I  feel  in  learning  that  you  are  mine.    I 


1639- 


J  f 


■  ii  I 


I  : 


'  Relation,  1637,  p.  113.  He  was  just  been  adopted  as  patron  of  the 
a  Seneca,  but  as  his  tribe  wus  tlicu  country  (Relation,  l(i:)7,  p.  5). 
at  peace  with  the  Hurons,  he  went  ^  The  name  of  this  chief  was  Sa- 
to Ouondafjii  and  joined  a  war  party  ouandaouascouay,  of  the  village 
tliere  I  delation,  p.  111).  Tht^  name  Tondakhra  :  Relation  de  la  Nou- 
Joseph  was  given,  as  St.  Joseph  had  velle  France,  1037,  p.  113. 


I 


108 


HISTORY  OF  NEW  FRANCE. 


1639.  at  first  imagined  that  he  whom  I  had  lost  had  risen  again, 
and  I  resolved  to  put  you  in  his  place.  I  had  already 
prepared  a  mat  for  you  in  my  cabin,  and  it  gave  mo  great 
pleasure  to  think  that  I  was  to  spend  the  rest  of  my  days 
peacefully  with  you ;  but  the  condition  in  which  I  see 
you  forces  me  to  change  my  resolution.  It  is  evident  that 
with  the  pain  and  trouble  you  endure  life  can  be  but  a 
bm'den,  and  you  will  duubtless  thank  me  for  shortening  it. 
It  is  those  who  mutilated  you  thus  who  put  you  to  death.' 
Courage,  then,  neiihew  !  Prepare  for  this  evening.  Show 
that  you  are  a  man,  and  be  not  depressed  by  fear  of 
torture  " 

The  prisoner  heard  this  as  though  it  did  not  concern 
him.  He  replied,  in  a  firm  tone,  "  This  goes  well !"  Then, 
the  sister  of  the  one  whom  ho  was  to  replace  came  and 
offered  him  food,  as  if  ho  had  really  been  her  brother, 
ser^'iug  him  with  every  appearance  of  the  most  sincere  and 
cordial  friendship.  The  old  chief  himself  caressed  liim, 
put  his  pipe  in  his  mouth  ;  and  seeing  him  all  drenched  in 
sweat,  wiped  it  off,  and  gave  him  all  possible  marks  of 
truly  fatherly  affection. 

Towards  noon  the  prisoner  made  his  farewell  feast,'  at 
the  expense  of  his  uncle  ;  and  aU  being  assembled,  he 
said :  "  Brothers,  I  am  going  to  die ;  enjoy  yourselves 
boldly  around  me  ;  think  that  I  am  a  man  ;  and  rest 
assured  that  I  fear  neither  death  nor  any  torment  }  ou  can 
inflict  upon  me."  He  then  sang,  several  warriors  joining 
with  him ;  after  which  the  food  was  served  up.  There  is 
no  invitation  to  these  banquets  :  every  one  has  a  right  to 
go  ;  but  most  of  them  bring  no  platter,  and  come  as  mero 
spectators.  The  banquet  over,  the  prisoner  was  taken  to 
the  place  of  torture,  a  cabin  set  apart  for  this  use.  Each 
village  has  one  of  this  class,  styled  the  cabin  of  blood  or  of 


'  The  Tohontaenras,  ■who  subse- 
quently Burreiidored  to  the  Senccaa 
and  removed  to  their  country  :  Rela- 
tion, 1051,  p.  4 


'  This  fnrowell  feast  was  called, 
in  Huron,  Astataion  :  Rcl.  1037,  ]). 
llii ;  Atsntaion,  10;i8,  p.  44.  Cliitsa- 
tayon  :  Sngnrd,  Diet.  v.  Festin. 


' 


HISTORY  OP  NEW  FRANCE. 


109 


severed  hecuh,'  aud  it  is  always  the  cabin  of  a  war-chief.  As 
soon  as  a  prisoner  sets  foot  in  it,  it  is  no  longer  in  the 
power  of  any  one  to  spare  his  life.  It  is  not,  however, 
always  the  place  of  executiv)n,  which  may  bo  performed 
anywhere. 

Towards  eight  o'clock  at  night  eleven  fires  were  lighted, 
abont  six  feet  apart.  All  ranged  tliemselves  in  a  line  on 
either  side,  the  old  men  behind,  on  a  sort  of  platform,  and 
the  young  men,  who  were  to  be  actors,  in  the  front  rank. 
As  soon  as  the  prisoner  entered,  an  old  man  advanced, 
exhorted  the  youth  to  do  well  ;  adchng  that  this  was  an 
important  action,  and  that  Areskouy"  woiild  look  down 
upon  them.  This  short  harangue  Avas  received  with  ap- 
plause, or  rather  with  yells,  wild  enough  to  strike  terror 
into  the  stoutest.  The  captive  at  the  same  time  appeared 
amid  the  assembly,  between  two  missionaries,  and  the 
cries  redoubled  as  he  was  seen.  He  was  next  seated  on  a 
mat  and  his  hands  bound. 

He  then  rose  and  went  around  the  cabin,  dancing  and 
shiging  his  death-song.  This  done,  he  returned  to  his 
place,  and  sat  down  on  the  mat  again.  Then  a  war-chief 
took  off  his  robe  ;  and  showing  him  thus  naked  to  tho 
assembly,  said  :  "  Such  a  one  (naming  another  chief)'  takes 
this  captive's  rol)e  ;  the  inhabitants  of  such  a  village'  will 
cut  off  his  head  and  give  it,  with  an  arm,  to  such  a  one' 
(whom  he  named  again),  who  will  make  a  feast  of  it." 
Then  began  a  most  tragic  and  horrible  scene  ;  and  Father 
de  Brebeuf,  who  was  present  at  the  whole,  gives  a  descrip- 


1639. 


^ 


t  I 


An) 


'  Otinontsiskiaj  ondaon  :  Rektion 
de  la  Nouvelle  France,  1037,  p.  114. 

'  The  god  of  war,  the  same  us  Te- 
haronhiaouagon :  Relation  de  la  Nou- 
velle  France,  IGTO,  pp.  47,  66  ;  Rela- 
tion, 1U71,  p.  17  ;  Lafltau,  Mneurs 
dee  Sauvages,  i.,  p.  126.  The  wor- 
ship of  Arenkouy  has  been  succeeded 
by  that  of  llawenniio,  really  tho 
God  of  the  Christians.    The  Huron 


form  is  properly  A,reskoui,  tho  early 
writers  using  what  they  called  an 
iota  subscript  to  designate  a  kind  of 
pause  and  peculiar  vowel  sound. 
The  Irajuois  pronounced  it  less  ob- 
scurely, and  the  niisHionaries  among 
them  wrote  it  "  Agreskoue." 

•*  Oteiondi. 

*  The  Ataronchronona 

•'■  Ondessone. 


110 


HISTORY  OP  NEW  FRANCE. 


1639. 


tion  that  makes  oue  aluuldor.  This  missionary  induced 
tlie  execntionors,  from  time  to  time,  to  give  their  victim 
some  V('hixuti(m.  He  profited  by  it  to  exhort  liini  to  offer 
his  sufferings  to  a  Clod  wlio  couhl  reward  him  for  them, 
and  Avlio  liad  himself  undergone  for  us  every  indignity  and 
torment. 

Whih'  he  spoke  all  kept  silence  and  listened  attentively. 
Josi'ph  replied  to  all  as  though  he  felt  no  ])ain  ;  and 
during  his  whole  torture  nothing  escaped  him  which  his 
charitable  instructors  could  rebuke.  He  even  spoke  at 
times  of  the  affairs  of  his  tribe,  as  though  ho  were  in  the 
midst  of  his  family  and  friends.  His  tortures  were  pro- 
longed, l)ecause  the  old  men  had  declared  that  it  was  im- 
portant that  the  rising  sun  should  find  him  still  alive.  As 
soon  as  day  broke  he  was  led  out  of  the  village  and  no 
longer  spared.  At  last,  when  they  saw  him  about  to  ex- 
inre,  for  fear  that  he  should  die  otjierwiso  than  by  steel, 
as  his  sentence  re(jnired,  they  cut  off  his  foot,  hand,  and 
head.  Tlie  distribution  was  made  as  had  been  directed,, 
and  the  rest  of  the  body  was  put  into  the  kettle.' 
Situation  of  The  Hurou  mission  then  had  great  contradictions  to 
misbioii.  experience,  but  they  were  checkered  with  success  that 
gave  the  Fathers  great  hopes.  The  details  which  they 
give  in  their  letters  are  truly  touching ;  and  these  letters 
are  written  with  so  much  simplicity  and  candor,  that  we 
cannot  be  siirprised  that  they  excited  the  interest  of  so 
many  persons  of  piety  in  the  conversion  of  the  heathen  in 
Canada.  On  the  one  hand,  we  see  savages  drawn  by  the 
secret  impression  of  grace,  and,  by  the  charity  of  their 
masters  in  Christ,  present  themselves  in  crowds  for  bap- 
tism ;  numbers  of  Iroquois  prisoners  entej,  like  this  one 
just  described,  into  the  way  of  salvation,  and  by  the  same 
gate  as  he,  and  show,  till  the  last  sigh,  sentiments  that 
touched  their  very  enemies ;  finally,  unhoped-for  conver- 


'  Relation,  1(137,  p.  118;  Letter  of    Documents  Inedits,  xii.,  p.  181.    Spo 
Father  Francis  dii  Penm,  Carayon,    Sngard,  HLstoire  du  Canada,  p.  4.53. 


HISTORY  OF  NEW  FRANCS. 

sions,  wlicro  tho  finger  of  God  makes  its  operation  felt 
even  by  the  most  incrodulous. 

On  the  other  liund,  they  show  tho  preadiers  of  tho  gos- 
pel ever  on  the  point  of  fulling  victims  of  a  popular  out- 
break, excited  by  some  unforeseen  accident ;  by  tho 
resentment  of  a  father,  who  imagines  that  the  prayer  or 
baptism  caused  the  death  of  his  chihl ;  by  the  caprice  of 
some  ill-disposed  man,  in  whom  a  pretended  dream  or  an 
evil  re2)ort  has  heated  the  i)ilo  or  disordered  the  imagina- 
tion. Tho  missionaries  had  the  same  attacks  to  meet  iu 
other  nations ;  and  among  the  various  examjdes  which  I 
find  in  my  authorities,  I  select  one,  too  characterist  ic  of 
the  Indians  to  pass  in  silence. 

Father  Jerome  Lallemaut,  brother  of  Father  Charles 
Lallemant,  of  whom  I  have  already  spoken,  was  on  his 
way  to  the  Hurons,  by  the  way  of  the  great  Ottawa  Ri-er. 
He  met  some  Algonquins,  who  had  pitched  their  cabins  on 
the  banks  of  that  river,  and  his  Huron  guides  thought  fit 
to  si:op  some  time  with  them.  The  missionary  took  tho 
opportunity  to  recite  his  breviary,  and  retired  a  little 
apart.  He  had  scarcely  begun,  when  he  was  called  and 
taken  to  a  cabin.  Hero  he  was  told  to  sit  down  beside  an 
Algonquin,  whose  dark  and  angry  brow  heightened  the 
sinister  expression  of  a  malignant  face. 

The  missionary  was  no  sooner  seated  beside  him  than 
the  Indian,  looking  at  him  askant,  ri'iJioaclu-d  him  that  a 
Frenchman,  passing  through  his  village,  had  bled  one  of 
his  sick  relatives  and  killed  him.  With  these  words  he 
burst  out  in  a  fury,  seized  an  axe  with  one  hand  and  a 
vope  in  the  other,  and  told  the  missionary  to  prepare  to 
die,  to  appease  the  manes  of  his  kinsman,  and  that  he  only 
gave  him  his  choico  of  the  mode  of  his  death.  The  Fathe  ■ 
could  only  use  reason  with  the  madman,  but  he  was  in  no 
condition  co  hear  it.  He  even  sprang  on  the  mission- 
ary, and  was  en^^iwavoring  to  strangle  him  ;  but  either  his 
fury  had  not  reached  its  height,  or  left  him  too  little  self- 
possession  to  know  what  he  was  doiag.      His  cord  got 


111 


1639. 


Sindulnr 
mlvciiture 
of  Father 
Lullcinant. 


l\    ) 


I         ' 


112 


HISTORY  OP  NEW  FRAITCB. 


1639.  t'litfinj^'liHl  in  the  coUiii'  of  the  luissioimiy's  cassock,  so  that 
thouj,'li  ho  i)ulled  with  all  his  might,  ho  did  uot  do  him 
luuc'li  harm. 

After  toiling  in  vain,  ho  porci'ivod  his  stupidity,  and 
wished  to  loosen  the  collar,  but  failing  to  do  so,  raised  the 
hatchet  to  tomahawk  the  missionary,  who  escaped  from 
his  hands.  The  Hurons  stood  hy,  unmoved  spectators  of 
this  scene,  as  a  thing  that  did  not  concern  them  in  the 
least ;  but  two  Frenchmen,  attracted  by  the  noise,  rushed 
violeutl}'  on  the  Algontjuiu  and  were  going  to  kill  him, 
when  Father  Lallemant  interposed,  representing  the  con- 
soipiences  that  might  ensue  fi-om  the  death  of  this  man. 
Ho  added  tliat  it  was  bettor  to  tell  the  Hurons  plainly 
that  the  governor-general  would  hold  them  responsible  ii 
uny  thing  befell  a  missionary  confided  to  them ;  and  the 
Frenchmen  f(jllowcd  the  advice. 

Tlie  Hurons  then  held  a  coimcil,  after  which  they  told 
the  Algonquin  that  Father  Lallemant  was  under  their 
safeguard.  This  declaration  at  first  had  no  great  effect ; 
and  as  those  who  made  it  went  no  further,  without  sus- 
taining the  Frenchmen,  and  tlio  Algonquin  was  well 
attended,  the  missionary  was  still  for  a  time  in  very  great 
danger.  At  last,  seeing  the  savago  a  httle  calmer,  either 
because  weariness  had  moderated  his  fury  or  because 
he  had  really  never  intended  to  go  to  extremes,  the  Hu- 
rons told  him  that  if  he  would  release  the  Father,  they 
would  cover  the  dead  man — that  is  to  say,  would  make 
him  some  present  to  console  him  for  the  loss  of  his  kins- 
man. This  proposition  completely  calmed  him.  The 
Hurons  gave  him  some  furs,  calculating  shrewdly  that 
they  would  be  no  losers,  and  at  once  embarked  with  the 
missionary.' 


'  Rflation  flu  la  Nouvollo  Franco,  des  Sauvag<'e,  p.  0."))  pivos  an  incor- 

16;J8, 1).  liO  ;  Letter  of  Father  Francis  rcct  .icoount,  nesifcniiif,'  it  to  the  j-ear 

dii  Peroii,  April  27,  Ki;!!*,  Carayon,  KWO.     Fatlier  TuUhaii,  in  his  ni)to 

DdCUiiiciitH  liu'dits,  xii.,  p.  108.    Per-  (p.  2ir)),  sceiiis  to  huvo  overhxiked 

rot  (Ma'uro,  I'uustumoB,  et  UcUiyion  the  Helation  of  1038. 


HISTORY  OF  NEW  FRANCE. 

This  was  not  tho  only  unpleasant  adventure  that  befell 
Father  Lalleniant  on  this  Yoyn^o,  and  there  was  not  one 
of  his  fellow-niissionaries  who  did  not  experience  some- 
thing of  the  kind.  Several  were  even  severely  beatcm. 
Nothing  better  testified  the  weakness  of  the  colony,  from 
which  the  Indians  every  day  learned  more  clearly  tliat 
they  had  little  to  fear  or  hope.  On  the  other  hand,  tho 
extreme  desire  of  the  missiojuiries  to  bring  all  these  na- 
tions under  the  yoke  of  the  faitli  made  them  endure  this 
ill-treatment,  and  their  passion  lor  sufferings  made  them 
find  consolation  even  in  them, — tho  more  so,  as  th(^y  often 
resulted  fi-om  the  siiccess  of  their  labors  and  were  the 
glorious  marks  of  their  victory. 

Nothing  was  more  apostolical  than  tho  life  which  they 
led.  All  tlieir  moments  were  numbered  by  some  heroic 
action,  by  conversions  or  sufferings,  which  they  regarded 
as  real  compensation  when  their  labors  had  not  produced 
all  tho  fruit  which  they  had  anticipated.  From  four 
o'clock  in  tho  morning,  when  they  rose,  unless  travelling, 
till  eight,  they  generally  spent  secluded.  It  was  the  time 
of  jn-aycr,  and  tho  only  one  which  they  had  for  their  exer- 
cises of  piety.  At  eight  o'clock  each  one  went  whither 
duty  called.  Some  visited  the  sick ;  others  followed  in 
the  fields  those  engaged  in  cultivating  tho  earth  ;  others 
visited  neighboring  towns,  which  were  destitute  of  pastors. 
These  excursions  produced  several  good  effects  ;  for,  in 
tho  first  place,  few  or  no  children  died  unliaptized.  Even 
adults,  who  had  refused  instruction  in  health,  yielded  in 
sickness.  They  could  not  resist  the  ingenious  and  con- 
stant charity  of  their  physicians.  In  the  second  place, 
these  Indians,  day  by  day,  became  more  familiar  witli  the 
missionaries.  This  intercourse  civilized  their  manners 
and  insensibly  dispelled  their  prejudices.  Nor  was  any 
thing  more  edifying  than  the  conduct  of  the  new  Chris- 
tians. The  more  they  cost  the  missionaries  to  win  them 
to  Jesus  Christ,  the  greater  was  tlie  consolation  to  see 
sentiments  in  their  hearts  where  grace  found  no  obstacle 

Vol.  II.— 8 


ii;) 


1640. 


Suffcrillijs 
ol'tlio  Mirt- 
Himmi'ivs. 


I         t 

I 


Their  occn- 
patioiia. 


}        1 


I    ' 


;  ) 


,  I 


;l 


lU 


HISTORY  OP  NEW  FlUNCK 


1640.  to  itH  operation.  Their  prayers  ami  otlier  oxorciscs  of 
''^^r^"^  imiy  were  mado  in  common  and  at  fixed  honrs,  and  tlicro 
Llfo  of  ih«  wcro  ftsw  wlio  did  not  approach  the  Bacrauicnts  at  least 

niianioii-  ,    , 

ariei.      ouce  a  Week. 

The  frequent  euros  effected  hy  the  remedies  which  tho 
missionaries  lil)erally  distributid  gained  tlieni  still  more 
credit ;  the  niedicine-nien  lost  nnich  of  theirs  ;  and  this 
led  to  thi!  abolition  of  many  bad  customs,  superstitious 
practices,  and  indecent  ccirenionies.  One  reli},'i()us  always 
remained  in  the  house  to  keep  school,  to  lend  the  public 
prayers  at  tho  fixed  hours  in  the  chapel,  and  to  receive  tho 
visits  of  tho  Indians,  who  aro  extremely  importunate. 
Towards  tho  close  of  tho  day  all  assembled  to  hold 
a  kind  of  conference,  where  each  proposed  bis  doubts, 
communicated  his  views,  explaiuctd  difficulties  arising  as 
to  tho  language.  They  animated  and  consoled  each 
other,  measures  wore  concerted  to  advance  tho  work  of 
God,  and  tho  day  closed  with  tho  same  exercises  which 
began  it.' 

Besides  tho  instructions  regularly  given  to  the  neophytes 
and  proselytes  in  the  chapel,  there  were  occasionally  pub- 
lit  ones  for  all.  Before  commencing  thorn,  one  of  tho  mis- 
sionaries went  around,  bell  in  hand,  like  St.  Francis 
Xavier,  not  only  through  the  whole  village,  but  also 
through  tho  neighborhood,  and  endeavored  to  induce  all 
ho  met  to  follow  him.  These  instructions  were  often 
made  in  the  form  of  conferences,  where  each  one  w  d  at 
liberty  to  speak.  Among  the  Indians  this  never  leads  to 
any  confusion.  They  rarely  left  these  assemblies  without 
making  some  conquest.  In  line,  besides  these  public  con- 
ferences, there  were  private  ones,  to  which  oidy  the  chiefs 
and  other  persons  of  rank  were  invited.  Here  certain 
articles  of  religion  were  carefully  discussed  which  it  was 
not  deemed  wise  to  explain  so  soon  to  the  multitude  ;  but 


Tliolr  miin' 
lior  of  in- 
Klructiuu, 


'  Letter  of  Father  Francis  ilu  '  Relation  de  la  Nouvelie  France, 
Pi'roii,  April  27,  Klii!);  Carayon,  l(i:i',),  j).  '>2;  CrouxiuH,  Ilistoria  Ca- 
DocununlH  Inodils,  xxii.,  p.  177  nadi'nsis,  p. 


I. 


IIISTOIIY  OF  NKW  FltANCB. 

only  to  tlioao  who  wcru  known  to  1»*  bettor  ftblo  to  iimliT- 
Mdiiil  tlicm,  iiiid  wlioso  authority  iui;,'ht  gnuitly  iiiil  tho 
proyrcsH  of  tlic  f^'ospcl.' 

I  have  thouj,'lit  lit  to  tuiliirKo  ii  littlo  on  thn  olistach'H 
oncount«!ro(l  in  convortuig  tho  Indians  of  Canada.  At 
ItMiHt,  those  who  aro  of  the  jxTsnaHion  tliat  tlit;  Faitli  liart 
niaih;  no  pio^'voHS  ainonj,'  thoso  Indians  cannot  acciiso  nio 
of  having  diss(>nilvhd  thoni ;  nor  do  1  fear  to  \h>  siispootod 
of  exaggerating  tho  fatigHe>H,  tlio  sntferings,  and  the  perso- 
vorancc  of  tho  apostolic  hd)orcrs,  who  havo  irrigated  with 
th(-'ir  sweat  and  lilood  tliis  ])art  of  tho  vineyard,  whicli  tho 
Father  of  tlio  family  had  confided  to  them.  All  NoW 
Franco,  for  more  than  a  century,  renders  so  public  a  testi- 
mony to  tho  severe  and  truly  apostolic  life  which  they  led, 
and  tho  eminent  sanctity  of  many,  that  it  cannot  bo 
allowed  to  doubt,  and  is  impossiblo  to  deny  it.  What 
I  shall  say  hereafter  of  the  blessings  which  heaven  poured 
down  on  their  labors  rests  on  tho  same  testimony. 

Yet,  without  making  a  parallel  betwi!on  tho  apostles  and 
the  first  founders  of  tho  Christian  Church,  I  lielieve  I  may 
in  justice  ask  on  what  grounds  they  would  prettuul  to 
doubt  tho  reality  of  the  conversions,  which  I  cannot  avoid 
meationing  without  being  wanting  to  what  the  fidelity  of 
history  requires  ;  great  examples  of  virtue,  seen  in  prac- 
tice among  a  groat  number  of  neo2)]iytes,  and  wonders 
which  God  has  worked  in  their  favor '?  Experience  teaches 
US  that  three  sorts  of  persons  will  bo  extremely  on  their 
j,'uard  on  all  these  points.  Those  who,  having  known 
Indians,  while  agreeing  that  they  are  not  devoid  of  a  kind 
of  ability,  maintain  that  thny  are  altogetlu-r  limited  as  to 
all  that  does  not  fall  ixndor  tho  senses  or  has  no  relation 
to  their  afTairs,  of  which  tho  sphere  is  very  restricted ; 
whence  they  conclndo  that  it  is  impossible  to  impress 
them  sufScieutly  with  the  great  truths  of  our  religion  to 


115 


1640. 


OlMtni'lr* 

to  I  llll 


i    I 


: 


'Relation,    1030,   p.   54;    Father    1(13fi,  MS.     All  testimony  shows  tho 
Charles  Gamier,   Letter,  April   28,     extent  r)r  instruction  given. 


110 


HISTORY  OP  NKW    FllANCK. 


>64o-    mnko  ovon  ordiimry  ChriHtians.     Otimrs,  rof^anliiif^  only 

^—'-y^'^  tlu*  (liMMciiililiri^'  iind  uiih'uMo  cliiinu'tor  of  tlicso  IiidiiiiiH, 

Objections  iiimfrinn   tliiit   t!ii>y  caiiiiot  l)ti   naiimtl   aiul  fixed   ho  n>*  to 
■UHWerj'l.  ,  •      ,1         •  1  .... 

grouiiil  tlii'iu  111  tliti  HiUfcru  and  (.•onHtiuit  priictifo  of  Cliris- 

tiftu  virtues.  A  third  cIuwh  proclaim  uK'"'»*t  tho  very 
nanu)  of  all  that  suriiasHeH  tho  ordinary  streiif,'th  and  eonrHO 
of  nature  ;  and  if  wo  wtie  tlieni  daily  treat  as  false  the  host- 
attested  uiiraeles,  most  soltunnly  approved  hy  the  Church, 
with  what  hauteur  will  tluty  not  reject  all  mlated  in  this 
sort  of  a  Christendom,  composed  of  neophytes  who  had, 
they  will  say,  to  be  made  men  boforo  they  could  bo  ren- 
dered adorers  of  Jesus  Christ  I 

But  uono  of  these  reflect  sufficiently — Ist.  That  tho  con- 
version of  an  uitidol,  as  well  as  tho  conversion  of  u  sinner, 
can  bo  tho  work  of  grace  alone,  before  which  obstacles  dis- 
appear, whether  the  greatest  or  tho  least.  It  ovt^rcamo 
tho  Jews,  to  whom  CJhrist  crucitied  was  a  stumbling-block  ; 
and  tho  Gentiles,  who  regarded  his  cross  as  folly.  It  can 
raise  up  children  to  Abraham  from  tho  very  stones  (Matt, 
iii.  9) — that  is  to  say,  make  tho  most  lively  faith  and 
ardent  charity  gorminato  in  tho  hardest  hearts  and  most 
brutish  minds.  And  should  prejudice  go  so  far  as  to 
doubt,  with  some,  whether  tho  American  Indians  are  men, 
may  we  not  answer,  with  the  most  celebrated  doctors  of 
tho  Church  :  "Men  and  boast  thou  wilt  preserve,  O  Lord" 
(Ph.  XXXV.  7).  Now  that  tho  all-powerfu.  ■>eration  of 
gi'ace  has  wrought  these  great  changes,  is  .'t  lawful  for  any 
man  to  set  limits  to  it,  and  say  that  it  could  not  raise  those 
new  Christians  to  tho  most  eminent  sanctity,  if  they  wore 
but  faithful  to  it  ? 

2d.  That  the  promises  made  by  the  Saviour  of  tho  world 
to  his  disciples,  whether  for  the  conversion  of  tho  world  or 
tho  supernatural  means  by  which  he  was  to  co-operate 
with  them,  api)ly  to  all  who,  till  the  flock  of  the  elect  is 
gathered  together,  receive  a  lawful  mission  to  labor  for 
this  assembling.  If  miracles,  according  to  Saint  .\ngus- 
tine,  were  necessary  in  tho  commencement  of  tho  Church, 


HI8T0IIT  OF  NEW  FUANCE. 

thoy  aro,  by  tho  Hftiuo  priiu-iplo,  in  all  uaHwiit  cluinlK's ; 
ttiid  tho  power  of  cuHtiri^  out  evil  HpiritH,  gruiih'd,  not  to 
tho  tiiHt  prt'iulmiM  cf  tho  (,'oMpol  iiloiic,  Imt  to  tlio  fuitlifiil, 
and  whioh  forum  part  of  tho  doposit  mtruntod  to  tho 
Church  for  all  timoH,  pr«'Hupi»0H0rt  tho  onipiro  of  tho  ovil 
spiritH  ovor  all  who  havo  not  rcccivod  tho  saca-od  oharactor 
iuiprintod  on  uh  \>y  tho  Hacraiucut  of  rc^^cuoration. 

3d.  That  of  all  natiouH  in  tho  world,  thoro  is  uono  for 
which  tho  kingdom  of  hoavon  Ih  not  open  (Matt,  xxviii.  18), 
nor  to  which  tho  ai»ostloH  and  thoir  HuccoHHorH  wi-ro  not 
exprosHly  enjoined  to  aunounco  tho  gospel — "  Teach  yo  all 
nations  ;"  and  that  to  attempt  to  excludo  u  single  ono 
from  tho  benetit  oi  redemption  and  the  treasures  of  heaven 
which  it  contains,  would  bo  to  gainsay  tho  whole  Uible, 
which  speaks  in  the  most  formal  terms  on  tho  point. 

Thoy  may  say,  tlmn,  w  hat  they  list  to  dim  tho  glory  of 
tho  apostles  of  tho  Now  World,  but  they  cannot  deny  that 
they  are  of  those  to  whom  our  Lord  has  said,  "  Go,  teach 
all  nations."  If  they  did  not  reoeivo  their  mission  imme- 
diately from  Him,  they  received  it  from  those  who  had 
authority  to  give  it ;  and,  intrusted  with  an  important 
part  of  the  work,  could  rely  on  tho  same  aid,  and  be 
assured  of  tho  same  assistance  from  Him  who  promised  to 
bo  with  those  sent  to  preach  His  law,  to  tho  end  of  time. 
Nay,  more.  The  august  ministry  with  which  they  were 
honored  would  naturally  form  in  our  minds  this  precon- 
ceived idea,  that  they  were  in  general  what  they  should 
have  boea  ;  and  all  that  wo  relate  of  their  heroic  virtues — 
of  what  they  did  and  suflferod  in  tho  exercise  of  the  min- 
istry— is  so  probable,  that  we  might  bo  surprised  if  thoy 
were  not  such  men.  Only  those  who  venture  to  assert 
that,  in  spite  of  our  Saviour's  promise,  tho  gates  of  hell 
have  prevailed  against  the  Church,  can  refuse  to  acknow- 
ledge that  she  has  still,  and  will  havo  to  the  end,  apostles, 
martyrs,  saints,  in  all  conditions  and  countries  to  which 
her  sway  extends,  and  that  tho  power  of  miracles  will 
never  fail  her. 


117 


1 640. 


Ol.jiotloni 
niiitwurad. 


i.f 


!:) 


I 


118 


HISTORY  OP  NEW  FRANCE. 


1640.  All  that  I  have  hitherto  said  regards  especially  the  sed- 
^"""^''""^  ciitarj  uiissious — that  is  to  say,  those  of  the  Hiirous  and 
Stiito  of  the  Sylleri ;  but  they  endeavored  to  proceed  m  the  same 
Threo  Kiv-  Spirit,  aiul  follow  the  same  rule,  as  far  as  possible,  in  all 
"™'  the  others.  At  Three  Rivers,  besides  the  Algouqiiius,  who 
■were  ordinarily'  there  in  pretty  large  numbers,  several 
nations  from  the  most  remote  quarters  of  the  North  began 
to  apj)ear  and  remain  during  the  pleasant  season.  The 
most  important  was  the  Attikamegii^s,  whose  chief  resi- 
dence was  in  the  vicinity  of  Lake  tit.  Thomas,  which  you 
find  at  50°  N.,  as  you  ascend  the  river,  whose  three  mouths 
give  name  to  this  post.  It  did  not  require  much  to  make 
this  tribe  relish  the  truths  of  Christianity.  They  were 
naturally  docile,  of  a  gentle  disposition,  and  fi'om  the  first 
conceived  such  an  attachment  to  the  French,  that  nothing 
could  ever  detach  them."  Yet  the  progi'ess  of  the  faith 
among  them  was  quite  slow ;  because,  as  winter  ap- 
proached, they  returned  home,  and  when  they  descended 
the  next  year,  it  was  necessary  to  begin  their  instruction 
anew,  as  on  the  first  day. 
TfldousFfto.  A.  little  flock  of  Christians  wt\,3  also  formed  at  Tadous- 
sac,  a  place  long  frequented  more  than  any  other  by  the 
Montngnez,  the  Papinachois,  the  Bersiamites,  and  the 
Porcupine  tribe.  They  sometimes  arrived  all  together, 
and  mort!  frequently  one  aft<'r  another  ;  but  when  their 
trade  was  over  they  returned  home,  or  rather  scattered  in 
the  forests  and  mountains,  except  a  smaU  number  who 
wintered  in  the  neighborhood  of  Tadoussac  and  gave  the 
missionaries  abundant  occupation.  From  time  to  time 
some  of  these  Fathers  followed  the  Montagnez  in  their 
winter  hunts,  for  which  these  Indians  always  selected  the 
most  frightful  and  uninhabitable  places,  because  the  game 
they  sought  was  more  plentiful  there." 


'  Uclntidii  (U)  la  NouvcUo  France, 
IGoS,  1).  '^1  ;  11141,  p.  ;iiJ;  KU:!,  pp. 
8-88;  1(147,  pp.  SO-tll  ;  Crcuxius, 
llistoriii  ('iiiiiKlcnciH,  ))p.  283,  ttc, 
303,  etc.    TLc  Attikuiui'gucs  ivie  ulso 


called  PoissdiiHlanc or  Whitcfish,  De 
la  I'otlicric,  Hist,  ilc  I'Am.  Sept.,  i., 
p  2!)4.     See  Crcuxius,  p.  307. 
■'  Relation,  1038,  p.  3  ;  1041,  pp.  3, 

5u ;  ioia,  pp.  aa-o. 


HISTORY  OF  NEW  FRANCE. 


119 


Miscou  Island  and  the  shores  of  the  Gulf  of  St.  Law-     1640. 

renco  were  also  at  the  time  one  of  the  ordinary  resorts  of  ' < ' 

the  Indians,  the  fisheries  being  very  productive  there  ;  but  Aioimd  tho 
the  colony  did  not  profit  by  fish  or  furs.  French  merchants,  """^^ 
devoted  solely  to  the  gain  they  actually  made,  controlled 
the  trade,  without  taking  any  steps  to  render  it  durable 
and  solid.  The  ministry  did  not  interfere  with  it  or 
Acadia,  which  Avas  also  ip  private  hanti.,;  luid  shut  its  eyea 
to  the  importance  of  these  separate  posts,  which  might 
have  been  a  mutual  support,  had  care  been  taken  to  fortify 
thfiii  and  settle  them  gi-adually. 

Tho  Indians  who  came  to  trade  on  tho  Gulf  of  St.  Law- 
rence Avere  the  same  as  those  of  Acadia ;  but  they  were 
more  commonly  called,  in  these  parts,  Gaspesians,  from 
Cape  Gaspe,  where  most  of  the  vessels  first  anchored.' 
They  were  very  mild,  but  remained  so  little  at  any  one 
place  that  the  missionaries,  with  all  their  care,  could 
scarcely  succeed  in  instructing  them  in  the  truths  of  reli- 
gion. Father  Charles  Tursis  had  just  fallen  a  victim  to 
his  zeal,  havhig  died  of  hardship  in  Isle  Miscou,  although, 
in  a  period  of  two  years,  he  had  bajjtized  only  one  child.' 
Fathers  Julian  Perrault  and  Martin  Lionnes,"  who  were  in 
his  neighborhood,  Avere  not  more  successful,  or  less  coura- 
geous or  patient,  in  the  exercise  of  this  unfruitful  apos- 
tolate. 

In  a  Avord,  wherever  trade  attracted  the  Indians  a  mis- 
sionary was  found  to  announce  Christ  to  them  ;  but  their 
short  stay  hi  any  one  i)lace  did  not  permit  the  seed  of  tho 
word  of  God  to  germinate  in  their  hearts.  It  was  only 
after  a  plan  was  devised  of  makuig  them  a  little  more 


'  For  tho  Jliscou  mission,  see  IJo- 
lation,  l(i;i5,  p.  0  ;  in;!(i.  p.  T5  ;  l(i43, 
p.  4;i,  etc.  As  to  tlu^  identity  of  t\w 
Gnsposiaiis  nnd  Miciiiars,  sri;  llisi- 
torical  Mapizint',  vol.  v.,  p.  Mi. 

''  Cbarlus  TurjjiH  <iii(l  May  4,  I(i;i7 
(Uelution,  10;J7,  p.  loy).  11.)  liad 
baj)ti/.ed  ouo  or  two 


'  Martin  dc  Lionno  was  tliore  later. 
II';  arrived  Auijnst  l.T,  l(i4:) (.lournal 
dii  Snix'ricur  di>s  .Icsuiti's,  MS,  Hul,, 
l(it;i,  p.  ;iO).  Ill'  uiod  -11  Ac'.idia, 
January  10,  llitil  (Carayon.  I'^fu- 
mcnts  Ini'dits, xiv,, p.  114).  ixT-ault 
gives  an  acoimiit  of  liis  niisi-ious  in 
CaiM'  Brt'tou  in  the  lielalion  of  l(;;jj. 


r.; 


I  HI 
r     :i 

i         * 

i :  i 


!    ; 


H 


120 


HISTORY  OF  NEW  FRANCE.' 


I       ? 


1640.     sedentary,    that   their   admirable   disposition  for   Chria- 
*'^'>''"~'  tiauity  was  understood  and  turned  to  account,  as  we  shall 
see  in  the  sequel.     But  I  do  not  think  myself  hound  to 
include  in  these  favorable  dispositions  the  worship  of  the 
cross,  said  to  have  obtained,  from  time  out  of  mind,  in  all 
this  eastern  part  of  Canada. 
The  wor-       Mr.  de  St.  Vallier,  bishop  of  Quebec,  in  a  letter  which 
Cross     he  pubUshed  on  his  return  from  his  first  visitation  of  his 
Gaapesians.  diocese,  speaks  of  this  worship  as  an  attested  and  indubi- 
table fact.'    He  had  it  fi-om  *^he  EocoUect  Father  Christian 
le  Clercq,  who  has  taken  great  pains  to  give  it  currency,' 
but  who  has  had  as  many  gainsayers  as  he  has  well- 
informed  readers.     Moreover,  this  rehgious  was  the  only 
one  who  had  advanced  this  paradox,  none  of  those  who 
lived  among  those  Indians  before  him — many  of  whom 
knew  their  language  and  studied  their  traditions  better 
than  he  was  able  to  do — having  discovered  any  thing  of 
the  kind.      What   misled  the  historian  was  ai>pareutly 
this : 

A  letter  of  Father  J;Uian  Perrault,  written  in  1635, 
informs  us  that  these  Indians  took  pleasure  in  imitating 
all  that  they  see  Europeans  do  :  that  having  especially 
remarked  that  they  often  made  the  sign  of  the  cross  ou 
themselves,  they  did  the  same.  When  they  met  a  Euro- 
pean they  made  the  cross  on  different  parts  of  their  body, 
but  without  the  least  idea  of  its  being  a  mark  of  religion.' 
This  custom,  already  of  long  date  when  Father  Christian 
le  Clercq  resided  among  the  Gaspesians,  and  perhaps  be- 
come a  superstitious  practice,  induced  that  missionary  to 
believe  it  so  originally.    It  may  also  be,  that  ou  question- 


'  Estat  Present  de  I'Egliae,  etc.,  p.  '  Lo  Clercq,  Nouvelle  IJelatiim  de 

14  (ed.  Quebec).     Mgr.  de  St.  Valicr  la  Oasix'sit",  p.  173,  etc.     He  admits 

does  not  quote  le  Clercq,  but  gives  that  in  his  time  they  had  lost  their 

as  autliority  Mr.  de  Fronsuc,  son  of  respect  Cor  tlie  cross  (il).,  p.  1S7). 

?  r.  Denys,  who  had  it  from  an  In-  ■'  Relation  de  la  Nouvelle  Fiance, 

dian  who  died  a  few  years  bilore,  1(i:)5  (ed.  Qiubcc),  ]>.  4'.).     I'crnudt 

aged  one  hiin<iri'd  or  one  hundred  Siiys  they  painted  the  crous  on  their 

and  twenty :  Estat  Present,  p.  14.  persons. 


I.I 


mSTORY  OF  NEW  PRANCE. 


121 


1640, 


oftho  Ilu- 
rotis. 


ing  some  of  these  Indians,  these  savages,  often  confused 
in  their  traditions,  have  perhaps  seemed  to  him  to  include 
it  among  their  most  ancient. 

Meanwhile,  the  war  between  the  Iroquois  and  our  allies  Generosity 
increased  in  fiu'y.  The  former,  falling  unexpectedly  upon 
a  distant  nation,  whose  name  I  have  been  unable  to  ascer- 
tain,' committed  a  fearful  massacre,  and  compelled  all  who 
escaped  to  seek  a  refuge  elsewhere.  They  found  one 
among  the  Hurons,  who  were  no  sooner  aware  of  their 
misfortunes  than  they  went  to  meet  them  with  provisions, 
and  received  them  with  an  affection  that  would  have  done 
honor  to  a  Christian  people.  The  missionaries,  whom  it 
woidd  ill  become  to  be  outdone  in  charity  by  heathen, 
hastened  on  their  side  to  the  relief  of  these  poor  exiles, 
and  they  had  the  consolation  of  seeing  several  for  whom 
misfortune  proved  the  stroke  of  predestination." 

Their  joy  redoubled  when,  resuming  their  ministry,  Their  re- 
•which  had  not  yet  borne  all  the  fruit  they  had  reason  to 
expect,  they  perceived  that  God — touched,  doubtless,  by 
the  generosity  of  the  Hurons,  as  He  was  of  old  by  the 
alms  of  the  centurion  Cornelius — had  changed  their 
hearts,  and  that  the  very  men  who  had  most  persistently 
turned  a  deaf  ear  to  their  exhortations  were  most  earnest 
in  their  entreaty  to  be  admitted  in  the  ranks  of  the  prose- 
lytes. But  this  was  not  the  only  reward  bestowed  by  the 
Almighty  on  tliese  charitable  Indians. 

Some  time  after,  three  hundred  Huron  and  Algonquin 
warriors  having  taken  the  field,  a  small  body  of  ad- 
venturers in  the  van  came  upon  a  himdred  Ii-oquois, 
who  attacked  them,  but  who,  notwithstanding  the  ad- 
vantage of  numbers,  failed  to  capture  more  than  one 


ward. 


1     ' 


l^    :» 


t  / 


'  The  Relation  de  la  Nouvelle 
France  for  lG;ii)  (pp.  55, 59)  gives  the 
name  as  \Veanohronon  or  Wen- 
rohronon.  Their  country  was  eighty 
leagues  from  Ossosane,  on  the  fron- 
tier of  the  Neuters  towards  the  Iro- 


quois ;  hence  in  Now  York.  They 
are  perhaps  the  tribe  attacked  by 
Champlain,  but  driven  further  west. 
See  ante,  p.  28.  84. 

"  Relation  de  la  Nouvelle  France, 
1039,  p.  GO. 


122 


HISTORY  OP  NEW  FKANCR 


1 640.     mau.     Satisfied  ■with  even  this  trifling  success,  and  fciiing 

'       ^"^^  to  engage  f.  larger  party  if  they  advanced,  they  were  about 

Dffeat  of  to  retreat,  when  the  prisoner  told  them  that  the  band  to 

party,  which  ho  and  his  comrades  belonged  was  much  weaker 
than  their  party.  Deceived  by  his  story,  they  resolvetl  to 
await  the  allies  at  a  poin*^  where,  as  their  captive  assured 
them,  they  intended  to  pass,  taking  no  precaution  except 
to  throw  up  a  kind  of  intreuchment  to  prevent  a  surprise.' 
The  Hurons  and  Algonquins  soon  appenred ;  and  the 
Iroquois,  desperate  at  being  thus  duped,  wreaked  a  fearful 
but  not  unexpected  vengeance  on  him  who  had  involved 
them  in  such  a  disaster.  The  majority  then  counselled 
flight ;  but  a  brave,  raising  his  voice,  said  :  "  Brothers,  if 
•we  resolve  to  commit  such  an  act  of  cowardice,  at  least 
wait  till  the  sun  sinks  in  the  west,  that  he  may  not  see  us." 
These  few  words  had  their  effect.  They  resolved  to  fight 
to  their  last  breath,  and  did  so  with  all  the  courage  that 
could  be  infipired  by  hate,  and  the  fear  of  dishonor  by 
fleeing  from  enemies  so  often  vanquished  ;  but  they  were 
opposed  to  men  who  were  not  inferior  to  them  in  cour- 
age, and  were  here  three  to  one. 

After  a  very  stubborn  fight,  seventeen  or  eighteen  Iro- 
quois were  left  on  the  field,  their  intrenchment  stormed, 
and  all  the  survivors  disarmed  and  taken.  The  Hurons 
took  to  their  village  the  captives  that  fell  to  their  lot," 
and  outdid  themselves  in  cruelty  to  these  wretches ;  but 
God  seems  to  have  permitted  their  misfortune  only  to  dis- 
play his  mercy  in  their  regard.  The  missionaries,  who 
were  accorded  hberty  to  converse  with  them  freely,  found 
theii'  docility  astonishing.  They  instructed  them  suffi- 
ciently in  our  holy  mysteries,  and  baptized  them  all. 
These  neophytes  then  sustained  the  frightful  torture  to 
■which  they  were  sul)jected — not  with  that  brutal  insensi- 
bility and  ferocious  pride  in  which  these  savages  glory  on 


'  Creuxius,    Historia  Canadensis,        '  Rolation,  1039,  p.  69  ;  Creuxius, 
p.  241.  Historia  Canadunsis,  p.  341. 


:|;.i 

'  t 


HISTORY  OP  NEW  FRANCE. 

such  occasions,  but  with  patience,  sentiments,  and  courage 
worthy  o?  Christianity,  and  which  their  executioners  could 
not  fail  to  attribute  to  the  power  of  baptism.' 

This  happy  prejudice  greatly  advanced  the  cause  of 
religion,  and  authorized  the  faithful  to  profess  it  more 
openly  than  they  had  yet  dared  to  do ;  for  till  then  several 
had  not  complete  liberty  in  cabins  where  they  did  not 
form  a  majority.  Some  even  had  been  ill-treated  for 
their  religion ;  and  Avhen  i,  Christian  fell  sick,  nothing  was 
left  untried  to  force  him  to  call  in  the  medicine-men. 
Many  allowed  themselves  to  be  seduced,  and  some  mis- 
sionaries were  of  opinion  that  on  more  than  one  occasion 
the  prestiges  of  these  charlatans  were  attended  with 
operations  visibly  diabolical. 

Yet  the  allies  lost  all  benefit  of  the  advantage  which 
they  had  gained  by  their  not  acting  in  concert.  The  can- 
tons, on  their  side,  more  aroused  than  ever  by  the  check 
which  they  had  received,  resolved  to  take  a  memorable  ven- 
geance ;  but  not  to  draw  too  many  united  forces  on  them  at 
once,  they  set  every  engine  at  work  to  prevent  the  French 
fi-om  assisting  their  alHes,  and  at  the  same  time  to  create 
in  the  latter  a  distrast  of  us.  They  sent  out  three  hun- 
dred warriors,  divided  into  several  bands  j  and  all  the 
Indians  that  fell  into  their  hands  were  treated  with  the 
iniiumanity  habitual  to  these  barbarians.  On  the  con- 
trary, some  Frenchmen,  tr.ken  prisoners  in  the  vicinity  of 
Three  Rivers,  received  no  injury. 

Some  time  after,  several  parties  appeared  in  the  neigh- 
borhood of  the  same  fort,  and  for  several  months  held  in 
check  all  the  French  settlements.  Then,  when  least  ex- 
pected, they  offered  to  make  peace,  on  condition  that  our 
allies  should  not  be  included.  This  proposition  was  made 
to  Mr.  de  Champfiours,  who  had  recently  succeeded  the 
Chevalier  de  Lisle  as  governor  of  Three  Rivers,  and  was 
brought  in  by  a  French  prisoner  named  Marguerie.    The 


123 


1640. 


Rcvernl  pri- 
soners are 
baptized  at 
liuutii. 


Stratn^em 
of  tlio  Iro- 
quois to  clo- 
taoli  tfia 
Kreiioli 
from  tlia 
Hurons. 


I:, 


■  t  '  ; 


II 


'  Relation,  1639,  p.  67 ;  Creuxius,  Historia  Canadensis,  p.  241. 


124 


HISTORY  OF  NEW   FI^\^X"E. 


^-1 


;■  I 


Thoy  treat 
with  tlio 
former  in 
bad  faith. 


1640.     man  added  tliat  neither  lie  nor  his  foUow-pvisoneiB  could 
■"t"^  '  do  aught  but  praise  the  treatment  they  had  received  from 
the  Iroquois,  but  that  he  did  net  think  withal  that  it  was 
very  prudent  to  treat  with  them. 

The  advice  was  sound  :  but  they  were  not  in  a  position 
to  make  war ;  so  they  concluded  to  negotiate,  keeping, 
howe\t;v,  well  on  their  guard.  The  ChevaHer  de  Mont- 
magnj',  notified  by  Mr.  de  Champflours  of  what  was  occur- 
ring, descended  to  Three  Eivers  in  a  well-armed  barque, 
and  sent  the  Sieur  Nicolet  and  Father  Ilagueneau  to  the 
Iroquois  to  ask  back  the  French  prisoners  .vhom  they 
retained,  and  to  learn  their  disposition  in  regard  to  peace. 
Those  deputies  Avere  well  received.  They  were  seated  as 
mediators,  on  a  buckler.'  The  prisoners  were  then  brought 
to  them  bound,  though  but  slightly.  A  war-chief  imme- 
diately made  a  very  studied  hai-argue,  in  which  he  en- 
deavored to  persuade  them  that  his  nation  had  nothing  so 
much  at  heart  as  to  live  on  good  terms  with  the  French. 

In  the  midst  of  hit^  discourse  he  approached  tlie  pris- 
oners, unbound  them,  and  flung  their  bonds  over  the  pal- 
isade, saying  :  "  Let  the  river  carry  them  30  far,  that  they 
be  no  more  spoken  of."  At  the  same  time  he  presented  a 
belt  to  the  two  deputies,  and  begged  them  to  receive  it  as 
a  pledge  of  the  liberty  which  he  restored  to  the  children 
of  Ononthio.'  Then  taking  two  packs  of  beaver,  he  laid 
them  at  the  feet  of  the  prisoners,  adding  that  it  was  un- 
reasonable to  send  them  back  naked,  and  that  he  gave 
them  material  for  robes.  He  then  resuired  his  discourse, 
and  said  that  aU  the  Iroquois  cantons  ardently  desired  a 
durable  peace  with  the  French,  and  that  in  their  name^  he 
begged  Ouonthio  to  hide  under  his  clothes  the  hatchets  of 
the  Algonquins  and  Hurons  while  the  peace  was  in  nego- 


'  See  Sagard,  Histoire,  p.  447.  these  Indians,  and  aU  others  after 

"  Ononthio,  in  Huron  and  Inxiuois,  tlidr  oxftiuple,  called  tlie  gnvornor- 

menns   Gredt    Afoitntiiiii,  and   this,  gonernl  of  New  France,  Onontliio, 

thoy  won;  told,  was  the  name  of  Mr.  and  the  king  of  Franco,  the  groat 

de  Montmagny.      From  this   time  Ouonthio. — Gharleruix. 


I 


li 


i 


A 


HISTORY  OP  NEW  FRANCE. 

tiation  ;  declaring  tliat  on  their  side  tlioy  -vvoiikl  commit 
no  hostility. 

He  was  still  speaking,  when  two  Algonqnin  canoes  hav- 
ing appeared  in  sight  of  the  spot  Avhero  the  council  was 
hold,  the  Iroquois  gave  them  chase.  The  Algonquins, 
seeing  no  prospect  of  resisting  so  large  a  force,  jumped 
overboard  and  swam  away,  leaving  their  canoes,  which 
were  plundered  before  the  eyes  of  the  governor-general. 
This  outrage  show(>d  how  little  reliance  could  be  placed 
on  the  word  of  these  savages,  and  negotiations  were 
broken  off  at  once.  The  Iroquois  having  now  no  veil  to 
hide  their  perfidy,  threw  off  the  mask  and  spoke  with 
great  insolence.  The  Chevalier  do  Montmagny  under- 
took to  bring  them  to  reason,  but  they  escai)ed  at  the 
moment  when  ho  thought  he  had  them  ;  and  to  complete 
his  chagrin,  he  learned  almost  at  the  same  time  that  a 
number  of  Huron  canoes,  coming  down  to  Quebec,  loaded 
with  furs,  had  fallen  into  their  hands. 

The  position  of  the  general  was  undoubtedly  a  sad  one, 
exposed  daily  to  similar  affronts  for  want  of  troops  enough 
just  to  keep  in  equilibrium  the  balance  between  two  bands 
of  Indians  who,  all  together,  could  not  have  kept  in  the 
field  against  four  or  five  thousand  Frenclimon.  But  the 
Company  of  the  Hundred  Associates  would  not  shake  off 
their  lethargy ;  and  the  French  colony,  instead  of  increas- 
ing day  by  day,  declined  in  strength  and  numbers^'  An 
enterprise,  undertaken  about  this  time,  to  settle  and  fortify 
the  island  of  Montreal,  was  some  consolation  to  the  Chev- 
alier de  Montmagny,  and  for  a  time  flattered  him  with  the 
hope  that  the  Ii-oquois  would  no  longer  dare  to  come  and 
brave  liim,  as  thoy  had  just  done  under  his  very  cannon. 

The  first  missionaries  had  from  the  outset  recognized  the 
importance  of  occupying  the  island  of  Montreal,  but  the 
Canada  Company  did  not  enter  into  their  views.  It  needed 
again  private  indiAaduals  to  assume  the  execution  of  a  design 
so  advantageous  to  New  France,  which  the  Iroquois  war 
rendered  actually  necessary.     Some  persons  of  rank,  even 


126 


1640. 


Position  of 

the  sovcr- 

iiorxen- 

criil. 


t 
f  , 


(  t 


Projected 

estiiblisli- 

iiiciit  at 

Moutrual. 


126 


HISTORY  OF  NEW  FRANCE. 


1640. 


more  estimable  for  their  piety  and  zeal  for  relij^ion,  formed 
a  society  whioli  proposed  to  do  on  a  grand  scale  at  Mon- 
treal what  liad  been  attempted  more  modestly  at  SyHeri. 
There  was  to  be  on  this  island  a  French  town,  well  fortified 
and  able  to  resist  all  insults.  The  poor  were  to  be  received 
there  and  enabled  to  live  by  their  labor.  It  was  proposed 
to  occupy  the  rest  of  the  island  with  Indians  of  all  nations 
whatsoever,  provided  they  professed  Christianity  or  wished 
to  be  instructed  in  our  holy  mysterirs;  and  they  were 
more  persuaded  that  numbers  would  come,  fi'om  the  fact 
that,  besides  being  a  secure  asylum  against  the  pursuit  of 
their  enemies,  it  would  always  afford  prompt  succor  in 
sickness  and  against  starvation.  It  was  proposed,  even, 
to  civilize  them  in  time,  and  accustom  them  to  live  solely 
by  the  labor  of  their  own  hands.' 
It  is  in  part  The  number  of  those  who  entered  the  association  was 
■  thirty-five," — too  many  to  allow  prolonged  action  in  con- 
cert :  yet  it  began  in  a  manner  that  augured  success. 
Under  the  grant  of  the  island  made  by  the  king'  they  took 
possession,  in  1640,  at  the  close  of  t  solemn  Mass,  cele- 
brated under  a  tent.  The  next  year  Paul  de  Chomedey, 
Sieur  de  Maisonneuve,  a  gentleman  of  Champagne,  him- 
self an  associate,  brought  out  several  famihes  fi-om  France. 
He  arrived  in  Quebec  with  Mademoiselle  de  Manse,  a  lady 
of  good  family,  appointed  to  take  charge  of  persons  of 
her  sex.*  The  Chevalier  de  Montmagny  and  the  superior- 
general  of  the  Jesuits  conducted  them  to  Montreal ;  and 


carried  out. 


1640-2. 


'  For  the  history  of  the  aesociation, 
thus  briefly  alluded  to,  the  main 
spirit  of  which  was  Mr.  Olier,  the 
founder  of  tlie  Sulpitians,  see  Fail- 
lon,  Histoire  do  la  Colonie  Frani;ai8e 
en  Canada,  i.,  pp.  379-493. 

"  Mr.  Faillon  (p.  437)  says  the  pre- 
cise numb(!r  is  not  known.  Dollier 
de  Casson  says  forty. 

^  The  island  was  coded  to  the 
associates  Aug.  7,  1640,  by  Mr.  de 
Lauson  (ib.,  p.  394),  -nd  by  the  Com- 


pany of  New  France,  Dec.  17, 1640 
(ib.,  p.  305).  Mr.  Fojllon  makes  no 
allusion  to  a  royal  grant,  but  men- 
tions a  royal  approval  of  the  grant 
and  tlie  concession  of  certain  powers 
(p.  409). 

*  Relation  de  la  Nouvelle  France, 
1643,  p.  37;  Helmont,  Histoire  du 
Canada;  Faihon,  Histoiro,  p,  424. 
Mile.  Manco  arrived  at  Quebec  Aug. 
8,  1G41,  and  Maisonnouve  Aug.  34 
(Faillon,  pp.  430-3). 


HISTORY  OF  NEW  FRANCE. 


127 


on  tho  15tli  of  October  Monsieur  de  Maisonneuvo  was   1641-2. 
doulared  governor  of  the  island."  ^— "-r— ' 

On  the  17th  of  May  following,*  tho  place  chosen  for 
tho  French  settlement  was  blessed  by  the  same  superior,' 
who  celebrated  the  holy  mysteries  there,  dedicated  to 
tlio  Mother  of  God  a  little  oliapel,  hastily  erected,  and 
left  the  Blessed  Sacrament  in  it.  This  ceremony  had 
been  preceded  throe  months  before — that  is,  towards  the 
close  of  February— by  another.  All  the  as  'iates  re- 
paired, one  Thursday  mornmg,  to  Notre-D  de  Paris  ; 
tho  priests  said  Mass  ;  the  others  received  at  Our  Lady'3 
altar ;  and  all  besought  the  Queen  of  Angels  to  take  tlie 
island  of  Montreal  under  her  protection.*  Finally,  on  tho 
15th  of  August,  the  feast  of  the  Assumption  of  tho  Blessed 
Virgin  was  solemnized  on  the  island,  amid  an  extraordi- 
nary gathering  of  French  and  Indians.'  Nothing  was 
overlooked,  on  this  occasion,  to  draw  down  the  blessing  of 
heaven  on  the  useful  establishment,  and  to  give  the 
heathen  an  exalted  idea  of  the  Christian  religion. 

On  the  evenuig  of  the  same  day  Monsieur  de  Maison-  Trnditinn  u 
neuvo  wished  to  visit  the  '-.juntain  which  has  given  name  oi"nt'inhab- 
to  the  island  ;  and  two  old  Indians  who  accompanied  him,  ""isUnd!"^" 
having  led  him  to  the  summit,  told  him  that  they  be- 
longed to  the  nation  which  had  formerly  inhabited  that 
country.     "  We  were,"  they  added,  "  very  numerous,  and 
all  the  hills  you  see  to  the  south  and  east  were  inhabited. 
The  Hurons  drove  our  ancestors  out.      One  part  took 
refuge  with  the  Abenaqiiis ;  others  retired  to  the  Iroquois 
cantons ;  some  remained  with  our  conquerors."*    The  gov- 
ernor begged  them  to  invite  their  brethren  to  assemble 
again  in  their  old  possessions,  where  they  should  lack  for 
nothing,  and  bn  protected  against  any  attempt  to  distiub 


•1.1 
•   .1 


'  Rt'liition  de  la  N.  Fr.,  1633,  p.  87. 

''  Dollicr  de  Ciiason  (Hist,  de  Mon- 
tronl,  MS.)  and  Faillon  (Hist,  de  la 
Col.  Fran(;nise,  i.,  p.  43!)),  Vie  de  Mile. 
Jlitnse  (I.,  xl.)  say  May  18  :  Le  Clercq, 
Picuiier  Etab.  de  la  Foi,  p.  50. 


*  Rev.  Bartholomew  Vimont. 

<  Relation  de  la  N.  P.,  1643,  p.  37. 
Mr.  Faillon  (\\  436)  says  Feb.  3. 

'  lb.,  p.  38. 

'  Compare  Perrault,  Moeurs,  etc., 
pp.  9, 165. 


128 


HISTORY  OF  NEW  FRANCE. 


1641-2.  tliom.'  Tlioy  proiniHocI  to  do  all  that  depoiulod  on  them, 
but  ajiparcntly  failed  to  bring  together  the  remnants  of 
thiH  dispovHud  nation,'  which  may  perhaps  be  the  Iroquets 
mentioned  in  my  journal.* 


'  Rulation  de  la  Nouvcllo  France, 
1643,  p.  !)8. 

'  Crouxlua  (Hifltoria  CanadenRis, 
p.  <)74)  B|>cHk8  of  traces  of  the  anck-nt 
town  aH  still  remaining  in  his  time, 
and  the  AlKonquins  called  it  Minitik 
Wtcn  enta^!;^K'l'*^ — "  island  whore 
there  was  a  town  (Relation,  1G43, 
p.  80). 

•  Journal,  pp.  1 1 0, 1 1 1 .  They  were 
■undoubtedly  the  Iroquet.  Seo  Re- 
lation, 1(140,  p.  ;i4.  Charlevoix  sup- 
poses them  to  have  been  Ilurons  j 
but  thoy  were  Algonquins,  and  were 
called  by  the  Hurons  Onontchataro- 
nons :  Relation,  1033,  p.  20  ;  1043, 
p.  01.  It  is  not  necessary  to  suppose 
them  the  inhabitants  of  Ilochelaga. 
A  Huron  town  generally  had  Algon- 
quins  camping  near,  and  the  account 
of  the  origin  of  the  war  between 
the  Irrxjuoio  and  Algonqiiins  shows 
this  to  have  been  the  case  In  early 


times.  The  statement,  however, 
here  given  clashes  with  that  of  Per- 
rault  (Ma-urs,  Coustumos,  etc.,  dos 
gauvages,  j)p.  0,  105),  followed  byde 
la  Potherio  (Ilistoiro  du  I'Am^rique 
Heptcntrionale,  i.,  p.  288) ;  unless  we 
are  to  supixwo  Hurons  in  early  times 
to  have  expelled  the  Iroquet,  and 
that  then  the  Iroquois  and  Algon- 
quins  settled  there  till  their  war 
came  off,  when  Hochelaga  was  de- 
stroy e<l,  and  the  Iroquois  fell  back 
to  New  York  and  the  Algonqulns  to 
the  Ottawa.  It  is  more  likely,  how. 
ever,  that  in  this  incidental  mention 
of  an  Indian's  remarks,  the  words 
Huron  and  Iroquois  hav(!  been  trans- 
posed. If  the  chief  said  his  ances> 
tors  were  driven  out  by  the  Iroquois, 
and  that  some  took  refuge  with  th  ^ 
Hurons,  the  account  will  agree  with 
all  others  that  have  been  handed 
down.    See  Journal,  p.  109. 


I 


ii 


NOTE   ON   MONTIIHAL. 


W'liKN  Charlf'vnix  wrote,  imt'  iiij^  liad  licfii  itiililiMlinl  liciuiiijj:  on  Wm  Hct- 
tlt'ini'iit  of  tht)  IkIiuuI  of  Mdiiticiil  oxccpt  tlio  tmrt,  "  L<'h  V(  rilubli'H 
MotifH,"  wliicli  appi'uri'd  in  1074.  (Sco  vol.  i.,  p.  82.)  Tlio  Society  of 
Mniitrea!  piiliiislieil  tin  HtiiterneiitM,  and  tlie  SiilpitiaiiH  had  not  tlio  rule  of 
wiiliny  to  tlieir  SupeiiorH,  wliicli,  eHtalilinlieil  l)y  St.  I^iiatiuH  in  the  caHO 
of  tlio  JoHuitH,  in  order  to  keep  alive  a  feeling?  of  brotherhood  and  edill- 
caticii  anionpf  the  widcdy-Hcattered  inoiiiborH  of  the  order,  Ikih  led  to  tho 
preHcrvatioii  of  no  rnueli  inl'orniation. 

The  early  hintory  of  the  movement  iiaM,  however,  in  our  (hiy,  found  an 
investigator  and  chronicler  in  tho  laboriouH  zeal  of  A[r.  Faillon  of  St.  Sul- 
jiiee,  who  has  issued  a  weries  of  valuable  works,  all  beariiif;'  on  the;  history 
of  Montreal.  lie  treats  tho  origin  of  tho  setlli'ment  as  entirely  supernat- 
inal  :  llistoiro  do  lo  Colonic  I'rauyaise,  i.,  p.  382  ;  Vie  do  Mih;.  Mame, 
vol.  i.  The  first  one  inipolled  lo  undertake  tho  settlement  was  a  gentle- 
nnm  named  .Teromt!  le  Royer  de  la  Dauversiere,  of  la  Fleche,  ii'  \njoii. 
The  second,  similarly  moved,  in  1(>3('),  was  a  young  clergyman,  Jicv. 
John  James  Oiler,'    who  sulisecjuently  instituted  tho  seminary  of  St.  Sid- 


'  The  Rev.  .lolin  Jniiii'M  Oliir  di'  Vcr- 
lii'Uil  was  l)i>rii  at.  Paris,  Scpti'iulicr  W, 
KisO,  Hccimil  son  of  .IniiH's  Olicr,  HiTrctary 
tn  Henry  IV.,  uud  master  of  rei|uenlM  in 
tliat  l\iMf;'s  palaee.  After  a  careful  educa- 
tion under  Ids  father's  care,  he  endiraced 
till)  ecclesiaHticul  utute,  niul  becaino  iliti- 
niately  connected  witli  St.  Vincent  do 
Paid  ;  inthien<'ed  by  whose  example  Ik; 
he^'an  to  give  missions  in  Aiivergiie,  whiTo 
he  held  thealibeyof  P(' brae,  and  etrecteil 
great  good.  Uefiising  a  bislioprii"  and  tho 
coailjutorship  of  C'lialons  sur  Marne,  hu 
accepted  th..'  parish  of  St.  Sidpicc,  at  Paris, 
ill  Itil'J,  then  in  great  disorder.  Aided 
by  some  clt>rgyinan  with  wliom  lie  had 
lived  la  comiminity  at  Vaiigirard,  he 
entirely  reformed  liis  luirish,  and  then 
began  ft  long  coiiti'inplated  work,  the 
founiling  of  a  tlieological  heiiiinaiy  for  the 
proper  (raining  of  candidates  for  the  (iriest- 

VOL.  11.— U 


hood.  Tliis  he  effected,  with  tho  royal  ap- 
probation, in  l(it."i.  His  institute,  known 
as  the  Seminary  of  St.  Sulpice,  has  ren- 
diTed  immense  service  to  religion,  and 
STMin  led  to  similar  establishments  in  other 
jiai-ts  of  France,  under  the  direction  of  hla 
community,  commonly  styled  Suljntinns. 
In  .America  tln'V  have  seminaries  at  Mon- 
treal and  Baltimore. 

Mr.  Olier  resigned  his  ]iiuisli  in  \t'i5'i, 
and  retired  to  his  seminary,  wh  -re  ho 
died  A|iril  'i,  l(i."i7,  lit  the  age  of  forty-nine, 
revered  by  the  best  and  Imliist  men  in 
Friince.  Ho  wrote  a  Tri'ali.so  on  Holy 
Orders,  a  Christian  Catechism  of  tho  In- 
terior I/ife,  A  Christian's  Day;  his  letters 
have  also  been  published.  His  life  was 
written  brietly  by  Father  Uiry  ;  nmre  at 
length  by  Mr.  Nagot.  of  St.  Siilpico,  in 
ISIS  :  and  by  Mr.  Failhni  of  the  same 
congregation  {i  vols.,  8vo  ;  Paris,  1853). 


I  I    *: 


130 


HISTORY  OF  NEW  FRANCE. 


pice  at  Paris.  They  finally  met  and  resolved  to  obey  the  common  in- 
spiration. The  next  who  joined  Avas  Peter  Chevrier,  Baron  of  Fancamp, 
who,  in  1640,  sent  out  provisions  and  tools  to  Quebec  to  serve  for  the 
coming  settlers.  The  celebrated  Baron  de  Renty  and  two  others  were 
subsequently  associated.  John  de  Lauson,  the  proprietor  of  the  Island 
of  Montreal,  induced  by  Father  Charles  Lalemant,  ceded  it  to  these 
gentlemen,  August  IT,  1G40.  To  remove  all  doubts,  the  associates  also 
obtained  a  grant  from  the  New  France  Company  on  the  11th  December, 
1640  ;  ratified  and  approved  by  the  King,  February  13,  1644  :  Edits  et 
Ordonnances  Royaux,  Quebec,  pp.  20,  24.  The  associates  engaged  to 
send  out  forty  settlers,  to  be  employed  in  clearing  and  cultivating  ;  to 
increase  the  number  annu.  Wy  ;  to  supply  them  with  two  sloops,  cattle, 
farm-hands  ;  after  live  years,  to  erect  a  seminary,  maintain  ecclesiastics 
as  missionaries  and  teachers,  also  nuns  as  teachers  and  hospitallers.  On 
its  side,  the  New  France  Company  agreed  to  transport  thirty  settlors  : 
Archives  du  Seminairc  de  St.  Sulpice,  quoted  by  Faillon,  i.,  p.  401.  A 
leader  of  the  new  colony  was  found  in  Paul  de  Chomedey,  Sieur  de  Maison- 
neuve,  a  gentleman  of  Champagne,  who  had  applied  to  Father  Lalemant 
to  aid  him  in  getting  service  in  Canada. 

The  six  associates  then  contributed  twenty-five  thousand  crowns  to 
begin  the  settlement ;  and  Mr.  de  Maisonneuve  embarked  with  his  coi- 
onists,  on  three  vessels,  from  Kochclle  and  Dieppe,  in  the  summer  of 
1641,  and  arrived  himself  at  Quebec  on  the  20th  of  August.  Mile.  Mance 
had  reached  there  previously,  as  had  those  who  came  in  the  thivd  vessel. 

The  Chevalier  de  Montmagny,  in  consequence  of  the  hostility  of  the 
Iroquois,  endeavored  to  persuade  Mr.  de  Maisonneuve  to  winter  at  Que- 
bec, but  he  went  on  resolutely.  After  being  installed  governor,  as  stated 
by  Charlevoix,  he  wintered  his  colonists  at  Quebec,  where  he  had  a  store- 
house and  dwelling,  and  at  Salute  Foy  and  St.  Michel,  where  Mr.  Peter 
de  Puiseaux,  Sieur  de  Montrcnault,  offered  him  a  hospitable  welcome. 
Here,  during  the  winter,  boats  Avtrc  built  and  timber  prepared  for 
houses  ;  and  on  the  8th  of  May  they  embarked,  and,  as  stated  in  tho 
text,  arrived  nine  dayd  after,  and  having  heard  Mass,  began  an  intrench- 
ment  around  their  tents.  This  fort  and  all  in  it  were  nearly  swept  away 
by  an  inundation,  but  the  nest  spring  the  necessary  buildings  were  all 
erected.  In  1643  d'Ailleboust  brought  over  more  settlers,  reaching  Que- 
bec on  the  15th  of  August,  the  day  alluded  to  by  Charlevoix.' 

'  Le  Clercq,  Etablissement  de  la  Foi,  11.  45-GO,  is  devoted  to  Montreal. 


BOOK    V  L 


r    ( 


I         } 


HISTORY  OP  NEW  FRANCE. 


133 


BOOK    VI. 


The  assurance  of  the  Iroquois,  in  appearing  in  arms  in  1642. 
sight  of  Three  Eivsrs,  and  the  boldness  with  which  they 
had  insulted  the  Chevalier  de  Montmagny,  gave  that  gen- 
eral deep  subject  for  thought.  He  rightly  deemed  it  a 
duty  to  omit  no  precaution  against  a  surprise,  and  put 
himself  in  a  position  to  meet  all  the  efforts  of  a  nation 
which  no  longer  used  any  disguise,  and  seemed  bent  on 
employiL'j  alike  artif  ce  and  strength  to  gain  the  mastery 
of  the  whole  country, — the  more  especially  as  the  Dutch  of 
New  Netherland,  if  not  openly  declaring  in  their  favor, 
would  undoubtedly  furnish  them  with  aid  in  more  than 
one  way. 

It  was  accordingly  resolved  to  erect  a  fort  at  the  mouth  Fort  Eieho- 
of  the  river  which  then  bore  their  name,  and  is  now  called 
Sorel  River,  this  being  the  route  they  generally  took  to 
come  down  into  the  colony.  It  was  completed  in  a  short 
time,  notwithstanding  all  the  attempts  of  seven  hundred 
Iroquois  to  oppose  it.  They  fell  upon  the  workmen  when 
they  least  expected  it,  but  were  repulsed  with  loss.  The 
fort  received  tlio  name  of  Eichelieu,  already  given  to  the 
river,  and  a  pretty  strong  garrison  was  stationed  here." 
Had  the  Canada  Company  been  willing  to  incur  a  similar 
expense  for  the  defence  of   the  Huron  country,  those 


lieu. 


'  Montmngny  arrived,  with  work- 
men, cannon,  and  soldiers,  Aug.  13, 
1642  :  Relat.  do  la  Nouvello  France, 
1042,  p.  250  ;  Creuxius,  Hist.  Canad., 
p.  351.    The  Frencli,  in  this  action, 


were  led  by  Corporal  dn  Rocher,  the 
governor  being  on  a  vessel  in  the 
stream  :  Creuxius,  Hist.  Canad.,  p. 
51 .  The  Indians  were  two  hundred. 
Sec  post,  p.  143. 


134 


HISTORY  OP  NEW  FRANCE. 


1642.  Indians  would  have  escaped  many  evils ;  and  so,  too,  would 
^■""Y^"^  the  whole  colony,  which  soon  felt  the  result  of  the  misfor- 
tunes that  overwhelmed  the  Hurons  in  the  succeeding  years. 
Namoroim  The  moment  was  an  auspicious  one  to  erect  a  strong 
amotiK  tiio  barrier  against  the  Iroquois  at  that  point,  all  the  Huron 
urous.  ^Q.y^^g  being  in  movement  to  embrace  Christianity,  and,  as 
a  necessary  consequence,  adhere  more  firmly  to  us.  Aha- 
sistari,  one  of  the  most  esteemed  chiefs  of  the  nation,  was 
the  instrument  especially  used  by  Heaven  to  effect  a 
change  which  seemed  to  the  missionaries  miraculous ;  for 
the  very  men  who  had  till  then  been  most  rebeUious  to 
grace,  now  showed  most  ardor  for  instruction  and  baptism. 
Astonishing  things  were  told  of  this  chief.'  He  was, 
indeed,  a  very  brave  man,  to  whom  actions  of  more  than 
ordinary  valor  had,  perhaps,  led  men  to  attribute  still 
more  bviUiaut  achievements.  It  is  certain,  however,  that 
his  merit  alone,  and  the  credit  he  enjoyed  in  all  his  nation, 
had  long  made  the  missionaries  conceive  a  strong  desire  of 
winning  him  to  Christ. 
History  of  a  There  was  no  great  probability  of  success,  this  Indian 
being  extremely  attached  to  his  superstitions;  but  the 
difficulty  of  these  great  conversions  is  what  often  reassures 
apostoUc  men,  who  know  that  grace,  which  is  aU-powerful, 
is  often  pleased  to  triumph  over  those  who  resist  its  inspi- 
rations most  stubbornly.  They  were,  therefore,  not  dis- 
heartened, and  continued  to  make  frequent  visits  to  the 
Huron  chief,  although  he  always  received  them  quite  iU. 
Yet  he  yielded  at  last,  and  even  began  to  look  upon  them 
with  favor.  They  gradually  found  him  less  removed  from 
the  Kingdom  of  God,  and  at  last  he  began  to  relish  their 
conversations  on  religion." 

They  then  devoted  themselves  more  iuan  ever  to  his 
instruction.     He  heard  them  attentively,  proposed   his 


faninus 
chief. 


'  Relation  Huronne,  1642,  p.  68.  '  He  never  showed  any  aversion 
He  was  a  cliief  of  the  Attinguee-  to  the  faith :  li<!lation  du  la  Nouvelle 
uongnahak.  France,  1042,  p.  08. 


HISTORY  OP  NEW  FRANCE. 


186 


doubts,  and  when  tboy  were  explained,  manifested  bis  con-  1642. 
viction.  He  requested  baptism,  but  the  Fathers'  thought  ^— "^""^ 
it  unwise  to  admit  to  the  bosom  of  the  Church,  on  a 
single  request,  a  proselyte  of  this  character,  deeming  it 
proper  to  make  him  long  desire  that  favor.  One  day, 
when  ho  was  earnestly  soliciting  it  at  one  of  the  public 
conferences  that  I  have  described,  the  missionary  who 
presided  asked  him  to  inform  the  assembly  what  had 
given  him  his  first  desire  to  become  a  Christian ;  and  he 
repUed  in  these  worls,  which  I  take,  Uterally,  from  the 
missionary's  own  letter : 

"  This  thought  engaged  my  mind  even  before  you  came  His  vooa- 
to  this  country.  I  often  ran  great  risks,  and  on  many  oc-  christimi- 
casions  I  happily  escaped,  v/hen  all  my  comrades  perished  "^* 
at  my  side.  Some  powerful  genius,  I  said  to  myself,  must 
bear  especial  watch  over  my  days,  and  I  could  never 
banish  the  thought  that  this  genius  must  be  infinitely 
superior  co  those  who  are  honored  among  us.  Nor  could  I 
avoid  regarding  as  silly  all  that  is  told  us  of  dreams.  No 
sooner  had  I  heard  Jesus  spoken  of,  than  I  felt  assui-ed 
that  he  was  the  protector  to  whom  I  had  so  often  been 
indebted  for  liberty  and  hfe.  Stubborn  an  adherent  as  I 
may  have  since  appeared  of  our  practices  and  traditions, 
I  nevertheless  felt  interiorly  moved  to  adore  Him  alone ; 
and  if  I  have  so  long  deferred  obeying  this  impulse  of  my 
heart,  it  was  because  I  wished  to  be  instructed  before 
making  the  avowal.  Even  when  I  seemed  least  disposed 
to  hear  you,  I  undertook  no  enterprise  without  commend- 
ing myself  to  Jesus,  and  I  put  all  my  trust  in  him.  For  a 
long  time  I  have  invoked  him  every  morning;  to  him  I 
attribute  every  success;  and  in  his  name  I  ask  baptism 
from  you,  that  he  may  be  merciful  to  me  after  death."* 

The  missionaries  thought  it  wrong  to  withhold  this  His  baptism 
satisfaction  longer  from  a  man  so  well  prepared.    He  was  ""'^  '*'"'''■ 


if 


'  The  missionaries  at  this  town  '  This  address  is  more  simply  and 
were  Fathers  Gamier  and  le  Moyne :  beautifully  given  in  the  Relation, 
Riltttion,  1043,  p.  70  IG-ia,  p.  59. 


136 


HISTORY  OF  NEW  FRANCE. 


1642. 


Eefloctions 
on  Iiidiun 
epeeches. 


ba^itizcd  the  same  clay'  by  the  name  of  Eustace.  Ho  soon 
after  raised  a  largo  war-party,  in  which  he  would  receive 
none  but  Chri.stiaus.  His  baud  being  ready  to  start,  ho 
led  it  to  the  missionary  of  his  town,  in  whose  presence  ho 
thus  addressed  them : 

"  Brethren,  we  all  servo  one  same  Master ;  let  us  then  be 
but  one  heart  and  one  mind.  TVe  must  carefully  avoid  all 
intercourse  with  the  pagans ;  and  all  our  brethren,  who  are 
in  need  and  affliction,  must  find  consolation  and  solaco 
in  us.  Let  us  carefully  hide  the  faiilts  of  Christians  from 
the  eyes  of  the  heathen,  and,  on  all  occasions,  let  them 
see  that  religion  unites  us  more  closely  than  the  ties  of 
blood  and  interest  over  did.  As  to  our  kindred,  who  do 
not  profess  the  same  religion  as  oxirsolves,  it  is  good 
that  tliey  kuoAV  that  deatli  will  separate  them  from  us 
forever,  and  otir  ashes  cannot  even  be  mingled  with 
theirs.  Let  us  publish  everywhere,  but  by  example 
rather  than  by  word,  tl"e  holiness  and  excellence  of  faith 
in  Jesus,  and  endeavor,  if  possible,  to  make  all  the  world 
embrace  it." 

If  the  Canada  Indians  spoke  thus  only  on  the  relations 
of  the  missionaries,  I  admit  that  I  would  have  held  such 
harangues  as  very  siispicious,  whatever  veneration  I  might 
have  for  those  who  gave  them,  and  notwithstanding  the 
air  of  sincerity  which  greatly  prepossesses  us  in  their 
favor.  Still,  not  only  should  the  experience  of  all  ages  con- 
vince us  that  good  souse,  native  eloquence,  and  exalted 
sentiments  are  found  wherever  man  exists,  and  do  not 
always  depend  on  education ;  but  I  do  not  hesitate  to  say 
that  those  who  have  seen  these  savages  wiU  not  accuse  me 
of  attributing  to  them  an  elevation,  a  pathos,  an  energy 
foreign  to  them.'  Did  not  the  Greeks  themselves  admit 
that  there  was  more  nobility  in  the  simplicity  of  the 
speeches  of  Barbarians  than  in  the  studied  harangiies  of 


'  Holy    Saturday ;    Letter   of  F. 
Charlee  Gamier,  May  22, 1042. 


"  Compare  Colden,  IliBtory  Five 
NatioDB.    New  York,  1727. 


HISTORY  OF  NEW  FRANCE. 


137 


Athens?'    Moreover,  there  is  no  uoubt  but  that  the  Holy     1642. 
Ghost  iuspirod  this  uoopliyto.  ■— ~r—— ' 

About  tho  same  time  some  Jesuits  received  a  deputation  Excursion 
from  the  Saulteurs,  inviting  them  to  visit  tho  tribe.  These  "  tour». 
Indians  then  occupied  the  country  around  a  rapid,  in  tho 
midst  of  tho  channel  by  which  Lake  Superior  empties 
into  Lake  Huron.  This  rapid  has  since  been  styled  Sault 
Sainto  Marie,  and  from  it  we  have  given  these  Indians, 
who  are  an  Algonquin  tribe,  with  a  name  (Puiioirigeueieu- 
hak)  very  hard  to  pronounce,  that  of  Saulteurs."  Tho 
missionaries  were  not  displeased  with  the  opportunity  thus 
presented  of  knowing  the  countries  lying  beyond  Lake 
Huron,  which  no  one  of  them  had  yet  traversed.  Fathers 
Isaac  Jogues  and  Charles  Kaimbaut  were  detached  to  ac- 
company tho  Chippeway  deputies,  and  their  visit  had 
every  success  that  could  be  reasonably  expected.  They 
were  well  received  by  these  Indians,  who  seemed  very  good 
people ;  but  the  missionaries,  having  been  recalled  when 
they  began  to  instruct  them,  the  seed  of  ths  divine  word 
had  not  time  to  bear  fruit,'  and  the  nation,  not  being  as 
well  disposed  when  the  missionaries  returned  some  years 
later,  this  happy  commencement  had  no  result ;  so  that, 
down  to  this  day,  there  are  very  few  Christians  among 
the  Indians  of  the  Sault.* 

Meanwhile  the  Iroquois,  assured  of  support  from  the 
Dutch  at  Manhattan,  who  okeady  furnished   them  with 


'  Strabo,  lib.  vii. 

'  PauoitigouL'ieuhak,  tho  Outclii- 
p<)U('s, Ojibways  or  C.'hipi)oways.  We 
shall  hereafter  translate  timiUeurs 
by  Chippeway. 

^  Chipjxiway  missions  still  exist 
in  Canada  and  the  United  States — 
tho  latter  uiuli-r  Bishop  Frederic 
Baraga,  of  Sault  Ste.  Marie,  author 
of  an  Ojibway  grammar  and  dic- 
tionary. 

*  They  left  St.  Mary's  in  SeiUem- 
ber,  and,  after  seventeen  days'  sail, 
reached  Sault  Ste.  Marie.    Their  ob- 


ject was,  not  to  establish  a  penna- 
nont  mission,  but  only  to  see  tho 
field :  Relation  de  la  Nouvclle  Franco, 
104:.',  p.  97.  Father  Charles  Haym- 
bault  died  soon  after,  at  Quebec, 
Oct.  23,  1()43— the  first  of  his  ordisr. 
The  country  on  the  lakes  had  al- 
ready been  visited,  and  to  some 
extent  explored,  by  John  Nicollet, 
who  in  103!)  made  a  treaty  with  tho 
tril)e8  on  Oreen  Bay.  As  to  him,  see 
Ferland,  Notes  sur  les  Hegistres  do 
yui'bec,  p.  oO  ;  Discovery  and  Ex- 
ploration of  tho  Mississippi,  p.  xxi. 


•     ' 


138 


HISTORY  OF  NEW   FRANCE. 


1642, 


The  Diitcli 
Bupply  ttiu 

with  iirniH 

niid  iiiiinui' 

nitioti. 


Indolence 

oftlicllii- 

rons. 


arms  nud  ammunition,  and  to  whom  tlioy  sold  tlio  fura 
Hwopt  away  from  our  allies,  continued  their  raids  and 
plundering.  The  rivers  and  lakes  swarmed  with  their  war- 
parties,  and  trade  was  no  longer  possible,  except  at  great 
risk.  The  Chevalier  de  Montmagny  complained  to  tho 
Governor  of  New  Nctherland,  who  contented  himself  with 
a  coui"toou8  but  very  vague  letter,  and  made  no  change  in 
his  course  ;  there  was  even  a  suspicion  that  ho,  or  at  least 
those  under  his  orders,  urged  on  the  Iroquois  against  us, 
although  it  had  been  agreed  that  tho  allies  of  the  two 
nations  should  commit  no  hostilities  on  the  two  colonies, 
and  the  French  had  faithfully  kept  the  agreement.' 

It  is  trao  that  our  Indians  were  neither  in  a  state  nor  a 
humor  to  trouble  the  Dutch  ;'  far  from  seeking  to  raise  up 
new  enemies,  they  scarcely  thought  of  defending  them- 
selves from  the  Iroquois.  The  Hurons  especially,  eithe'* 
from  indolence  or  fear  of  provoking  an  enemy  who  had 
acquired  a  suiicriority  over  them,  which  they  could  no 
longer  dissemble,  or  because  they  were  not  yet  fully  per- 
suaded that  the  Ii-oquois  aimed  at  their  whole  nation,  saw 
their  frontiers  desolated  without  taking  any  steps  to  check 
a  conflagi'ation  which  surrounded  them  on  all  sides. 
These  losses,  nevertheless,  as  to  which  they  remained  so 
tranqviO,  weakened  them  so  at  last  that  terror  spread 
through  all  their  towns  ;  and  when  the  enemy  no  longer 
saw  fit  to  cloak  his  real  design  by  any  pretext,  he  found, 
as  he  had  anticipated,  a  terrified  people,  incapable  of  oflfer- 
ing  the  sUghtest  resistance.  The  consequence  was  that 
tho  Huron  Church,  cultivated  wHh  so  much  toil,  had 
scarcely  begun  to  bear  fruit  unto  salvation,  when  its 
pastors  were  smitten,  and  the  flock  not  only  dispersed,  but 
almost  entirely  destroyed. 

Father  Jogues,  whom  we  mentioned  above,  was  the  first 


'  This  correspondence  escapes  the  '  Montmagny    is    said    to    have 

researches  of  O'Callaghan  and  Brixl-  prevented   war-parties   against  tho 

liead  in  New  York,  and  of  Ferland,  Dutcli :    Relation    de    la    ^ouvelIe 

Faillon.Martin.andotliers  in  Canada.  Franco,  1643,  p.  6a. 


HISTORY  OF  NEW   FRANCE. 


139 


quuia. 


on  whom  tho  storm  fell'    On  bin  roturn  from  S.anlt  Sto.      1642. 
Mario  lio  had  roccivcd  orderH  to  go  down  to  (Jnubtnv  for  a  ^-""~ir-~^ 
nuitti'r  wliich  admittcnl  of  no  dolay.'     Ho  was  not  ignorant  s«v<nii  iiro 
of  tho  dangers  tliat  besot  tho  way;  ho  obeyed,  neverthe-    tho  iro- 
less,  without  a  roply,  and  embarking  on  tho  IJUh  of  Juno, 
1042,  ho  arrived  at  Quebec,  witliout  any  untoward  eireum- 
stance.     On  the  Ist  of  August'  ho  sot  out  to  return,  with  a 
convoy  of  thirteen  canoes,  well  armed,  and  manned  by 
brave  men. 

Tho  strength  of  this  escort  was,  apparently,  tho  ca  so  of 
its  niin,  by  inspiring  all  in  it  with  overweening  confidence. 
It  was  afterwards  asc(>rtaiiied,  from  tho  letters  of  Father 
Jogues,  that  tho  chiefs  of  this  band,  which  consisted 
mostly  of  Christians  or  proselytes,  thought  far  less  of 
guarding  against  any  sudden  attack  of  the  enemy,  than  of 
exhorting  their  men  to  sutrer  for  Chri.st ;  and  most  of  them 
manifested  sentiments  which  filled  him  with  confusion.  The 
wonder  is  that  thoy  persevered  tiU  death  in  these  heroic 
dispositions.  It  is  not  astonishing  that  He,  who  can  turn 
even  crime  to  good,  sometimes,  for  his  own  glory,  permits 
men  to  stray  from  the  laws  of  prudence. 

Be  that  as  it  may,  the  Hurons  were  not  more  than  fifteen 
or  sixteen  leagues  from  Quebec,'  when,  on  the  day  after 


'  Helalion  de  la  Nouvelle  Franco, 
1C43.  p.  2. 

'  The  main  authority  for  tlio  cap- 
tivity of  FatliiT  Jofjuos  is  liin  Latin 
letter,  (if  Aug.  !i,  1()4:!,  written  nt 
RenRsalaerswyck.  It  is  piihlisliod 
in  Alegairibe,  Mortes  lllustres,  and 
in  Tanner,  Sorietas  Militans,  p.  511, 
altliotigh  with  variations  from  a 
Bworn  copy  of  the  original,  ])reBerved 
at  Montreal.  It  is  given  by  Father 
Bri'ssani,  in  Italian,  in  his  Hrevo 
Kelatione,  ]).  77  ;  in  French,  in  Mar- 
tin's Bressnni,  p.  18S  ;  and  in  Eng- 
lish, in  tlie  Jognes  Papers  (N.  Y. 
Historical  Society' '  '11.,  series  II.,  vol. 
ii.),  and  Sliea's  Perils  of  the  Ocean 
and  Wilderness,  p.  10.     Not  to  mul- 


tiply citations,  tho  references  will 
be  to  Tanner,  except  where  tlie  man- 
u.icrijit  diffi'rs.  Besides  this  paper, 
which  thi'  Relations  give  In  sub- 
stance only,  there  are  letters  and 
accounts  in  those  volumes,  and  a 
narrative  from  his  lips,  by  Father 
Buteux,  still  im])ublished.  Creux- 
ius  (Ilistoria  Canadensis)  gives 
Jogues'  captures  and  sufl'erings,  pp. 

vas-s-u  ;i78-!i;!. 

'  Aug.  3,  according  to  the  letter  of 
Aug.  !),  Hi  i:i,  MS.  (see  Martin's  Bres- 
sani,  p.  lilO) ;  altliough  the  Relation 
do  la  NouvelK?  France,  l(i47,  p.  IS, 
Bays  tliey  leli  'I'lirie  Rivers  .Vug.  1. 

■■  Fioni  Three  liivers:  Mary  of  tho 
Incarn.,  letter  Sejit.  :Ji),  1013. 


140 


HISTORY  OF  NEW  FllANCK. 


.     £■ 


MoRt  nro 
takeu. 


1642.  their  doparturo,'  at  dawn,  as  they  were  about  to  embark, 
""v-*-'  tlioy  pLTccivcd  an  Iroiiuoia  trail  on  tlio  bank  of  tlio  rivor; 
but  tliey  doHpiscd  an  ouomy  to  whom  th»^y  doomed  tliem- 
Bolves  far  superior  in  nnmbers,  and  whom  tliey  conse- 
quently deemed  not  rash  euo.igh  to  begin  an  attack. 
They  pursued  their  way  without  taking  any  precaution 
against  siiiiniHO,  and  became  the  dupes  of  this  unpar- 
donable security.  The  Ii'oquois  braves  were  seventy  in 
number.  One  division  lay  in  ambush,  behind  some  bushes 
that  covered  a  point  close  at  hand,  which  the  party  had 
to  pass;  the  other  had  crossed  the  rivor  and  concealed 
themselves  in  tho  woods.' 

\s  soon  as  the  Hurons  came  within  reach  of  the  first 
l-tuty,  a  well-delivered  \ olley  of  raiisketry  wounded  several 
and  riddled  every  canoe.  This  siidden  and  unforeseen 
attack  threw  the  Christiana  into  disorder ;  but  some  of  the 
most  agile  promptly  sprang  ashore,  and  succeeded  in 
escaping.  The  bravest,  supported  by  three  or  four  French- 
men, who  accompanied  Father  Jogues,  for  some  time 
made  a  resolute  defence  in  their  canoes ,  but,  as  the  wi  ' 
poured  in,  and  there  was  no  means  of  flight,  they  wci  ^  at 
last  obliged  to  surrender,  except  a  few  who  escaped  in  the 
confusion  caused  among  the  Iroquois  by  their  resistance  ; 
the  rest  were  seized  a)jd  bound. 

It  had  depended  on  Father  Jogues  himself  to  follow  the 
first  who  took  flight ;  they  indeed  did  all  they  could  to  iu- 

*'^'oner."'*  '^^^^  ^"^  >  ^^^  *^^®  Servant  of  God,  as  calm  amid  this 
tumult  as  if  he  hr  ■  1  been  at  full  liberty,  baptized  a  catechu- 
men, and  prepared  him  for  any  event.  To  those  who 
urged  him  to  seek  safety  he  replied  that  they  did  right  to 
escape,  but  that  it  did  not  become  him  to  abandon  his 
children  when  they  rfiost  needed  his  assistance.  Charity, 
exacted  by  duty,  does  not  fully  satisfy  an  apostolic  heart. 
The  combat  ended,  the  Hurons  all  taken  or  fled.  Father 


Father 

Jogues 
mnUe?*  liiin 


'  Second  day  nftor  their  dcparturo    capture  tlicishiuds  in  Lac  St.  Pierre, 
(MS.)     Martin  (nressi\ni,  p.  I!l0)and    forty -five  h'agues  from  Quebec. 
Ferland  (i.,  p.  316)  think  the  place  of       "  Thoy  all  landed  and  fought  on 


•  >1 


/>i-r>Ji:ji  iciAAt  JO£;ii£S.  -5. J. 


.  .'•  r.Y-  :Hi •(,■■■ -':::  .v.si.n 
.7'.*.'.**;;   .v  r.*-"* -■«**' 


lilt 


IIIHTOIIY   OF   NKW   FHANCE. 


141 


J<)f,ni('s  liml  (li.schiirj,'(ul  his  miiuHtry  to  its  full  extent ;  hut 
he  si}j;lu'(l  for  niiiityrdom,  luul  ho  holiovcd  that  tho  Horvict'H 
which  he  could  ifiiilci'  tlic  ciiptivcH,  liy  coiiHoliii^  and  cx- 
iiDiliii;,'  thciu  to  ilciitii,  WHS  u  sutHcicutly  justilliihlo  niotivo 
for  exposing  himself  to  it,  aud  ho  would  not  miss  tho 
o|i]i()rtunity.' 

]le  accordingly  advanced  towards  the  Tro(|uois,  who 
seiiued  to  ])ay  no  attention  to  him,  tiiinking  only  of  em- 
liarking  with  their  capture,  and  lie  nnule  himself  tho 
lirisouer  of  tho  first  ouo  ho  mot,  saying  that  ho  would  not 
lu^  separated  from  his  beh)vcd  children,  whoso  sad  fate  ho 
iiut  too  clearly  foresaw.  A  Frenchnnm,  Willam  C!outuro, 
with  whom  tln^  holy  nnin  had  como  down  from  the  Huron 
country,  had  fled  among  tht)  first;  but  ho  was  no  sooner  out 
of  danger  than  ho  was  seized  with  shame  for  having  aban- 
doned Father  Jogues,  and,  without  retlejting  that  he  could 
no  longer  bo  of  any  service  to  him  in  tho  hands  of  tho 
Irocpiois,  ho  used  as  much  exertion  to  rush  back  into  tho 
danger  as  ho  had  used  to  escape  it." 

Father  Jogues  was  pained  to  see  him  again,  aud  ro- 
l)roached  him  gi'iitly  with  his  imprudence  in  a  course  that 
could  avail  no  one  ;  but  the  error  was  committc.l.  Couture 
had  been  seized  as  soon  as  ho  api)eared,  aud  Ijound  with 
the  other  captives.  Moreover,  some  of  tho  best  Iroquois 
runners  had  started  in  pursuit  of  the  fugitives,  aud 
brought  in  several.  As  they  arrived,  the  sighs  of  Father 
Jogues  redoubled  ;  aud  in  a  letter  which  ho  wrote  to  his 
Provincial  in  Franco,  soon  aftt!r  his  arrival  among  the  Iro- 
quois, he  declares  that  ho  felt,  on  this  occasion,  tho  reverse 


1642. 


Bhorc,  till,  soeing  the  approach  of 
thu  otliiir  blind,  they  brokt?  ami  Bed ; 
TnnniT,  p.  513.  The  Latin  phrasu  is 
gi'iicrul,  but  JofjucB  evidently  took 
no  part  in  tin;  fight. 

'  Hcliition  di'  la  Nouvelle  France, 
1047,  p.  18  ;  Letter  of  Aug.  5,  Tan- 
ner, p.  513,  and  MS. 

'^  Letter  of  Father  JugueB :  Tuu  icr, 


p.  512.  C'oiituro  was  recovered  some 
years  alter,  and  dying  in  1T03,  agi.'d 
ninety-four,  left  a  numerous  ixwter- 
ity  in  Canada.  Monscjigneur  'I'ur- 
geon,  Arclibishoi)  of  tjuebec,  and 
Monscigneur  IJourget,  Hislio])  of 
Montreal,  are  both  dcHccmlid  from 
this  companion  of  Pallirr  .Ioi^uch: 
Ferland,  ('ours  d'llistoire,  i.,  p.  ;U7. 


A  Krenoh- 

IIJIIII  <l<IUIt 

tlui  Kitriio 
lliiii|{. 


142 


HISTORY  OF  NEW  FRANCE. 


164: 


How  nil  nro 
treated. 


of  iho,  maxim  so  universally  rcccivetl,  that  "  misery  loves 
company." 

The  first  thing  the  captors  diil,  when  they  no  longer 
feareil  pursuit,  was  to  inform  their  prisoners  not  to  expect 
any  quarter.  Couture,  at  the  commencement  of  the  attack,' 
having  killed  an  Iroquois,  was  a  market!  man,  anil  the  first 
to  feel  the  rage  of  the  savages.  They  first  crushed  all  his 
fingers,  after  tearing  out  the  nails  Avith  their  teeth.  Then 
they  ran  a  sword  through  hi'i  right  hand.  Father  Joguea 
could  not  behold  him  mutilated  in  this  way  without  being 
moved  to  his  heart's  core ;  he  ran  to  embrace  tne  young 
man,  and  as  he  wished  to  encourage  him  by  the  thought 
of  the  eternal  truths,  ho  found  him  in  sentiments  which 
charnieil  him,  and  more  absorbed,  he  says,  in  his  Saviour's 
suiferings  than  in  his  own. 

At  that  moment  three  or  four  Iroquois,  rushing  with 
a  kintl  of  fury  on  the  missionary,  rainetl  doAvu  on  his  head 
and  naked  body — for  they  had  begun  by  stripping  all  the 
prisoners — so  numy  blows  with  their  clubs  and  stones,  that 
they  thought  they  had  killed  him.  He  laj  for  a  consider- 
able time,  indeed,  senseless.  He  had  scarcely  begun  to 
recover  when  they  tore  out  all  his  nails  anti  gnawed  off  his 
two  forefingers  with  their  teeth."  Another  Frenchman, 
named  Rene  Goupil,  qttite  an  able  surgeon,  who  had  been 
recently  received  by  the  Jesuits  as  a  brother,"  was  treated 
in  the  same  way ;  but  nothing  was  done,  that  day,  to  the 
other  prisoners. 

Some  time  after  the  booty  was  divided,  and  the  captives, 
twenty-two  in  number,  were  also  tlistributed,  contrary  to 
custom  ;  this  allotment  being  generally  made  in  the  village 
from  which  the  war-party  sets  out.     At  last  they  took  up 


'  He  killed  a  great  chief,  on  bis  had  entered  tlie  novitiate  of  tlie  So- 

■way  buck  to  join   the  missionary  :  eiety,  but  was  Ibrced  by  ill  health  to 

Relation  dc  la  N.  ':'.,  1647,  p.  19.  have.    He  then  came  to  Canada  and 

"Tanner  ;„  ijl:!.  became  a  rfoH^*' of  the  mission.     Ho 

'  Jogi.es  (Notice  Pur  Rene Qou])il,]),  had  some  surgical  knowledge,  whic!\ 

215^  says  he  was  a  native  of  Angers,  proved  useful. 


mSTORY  OP  NEW  FRANCE. 


148 


their  march,  which  lasted  four  weeks.'  The  wounds  of  Fa-  )  642. 
thcr  Jogues  and  the  two  Frenclimen  had  not  been  tbessed,  ^— "v^-^ 
and  worms  were  soon  engendered ;  yet  the  prisoners  had 
to  march  from  morning  till  night,  with  nothing  scarcely 
given  them  to  eat :  but  the  holy  missionary  was  touched 
only  at  the  sight  of  his  beloved  neophytes,  destined  to  the 
stake,  four  or  five  of  them  being  main  columns  of  the 
Huron  Church,  He  dared  not  flatter  himself  with  the 
same  lot,  unable  to  behove  that  the  Iroquois  Avould,  in  his 
case,  proceed  to  extremities,  and  by  putting  him  to  death 
make  irreconcilable  enemies  of  the  French. 

After  eight  days'  march  they  mot  a  party  of  two  hundred  They  moot 
Iroquois,  going  to  try  their  fortune.     Great  was  their  joy  "  Shu"" 
at  the  sight  of  so  many  prisoners,  who  were  turned  over  en  lo^iheir 
to   them   for   some   time,   and  whom   they   treated  with     "^"i"""^®- 
incredible  barbarity,"  after  firing  a  general  volley  in  honor 
of  Agreskouvj.'     The  Indians  imagitie  that  the  more  cruel 
they  show  themselves  on  these  occasions,  the  greater  will 
be  the  success  of  their  expedition.     This  party  was,  how- 
ever, deceived  in  its  expectations ;  for,  having  appeared 
before  Fort  Richelieu,  they  found  there  the  ChevaUer  de 
Moutmagny,  who  killed  several,  and  compelled  the  rest  to 
retire  in  disorder.' 

In  the  event  just  mentioned.  Father  Jogues  was  not 
more  spared  than  the  rest,  but  he  was  not  so  mutilated  as 
to  disable  him  from  rendering  the  services  required  of 
slaves.  This  confirmed  his  beUef  that  the  Iroquois  would 
not,  by  putting  him  to  death,  deprive  themselves  of  the 
advantage  they  might  derive  from  a  hostage  of  his  chai  ■ 
acter."    From  the  spot  where  the  two  parties  met,  they 


Father 
Jogues 
ngiiiii  re- 
fuses to 
escajjo. 


'  Two  weeks  only. 

'  This  took  plnco  on  the  eighth 
day,  on  an  ishmd  in  Lake  Cham- 
plain  (.Jogais,  Letter,  Tauacr,  p.  513). 
After  leaving  the  lake  on  the  10th, 
they  marched  four  days  on  f(xjt. 

^  Tlio  war-god  of  the  Hurous  and 
Iroquois.    Ante,  p.  1C9. 


*  This  is  the  same  event  referred 
to  on  p.  131  ;  Tanner,  pj).  513,  518; 
Kelation  de  la  Nouvelle  France,  1043, 
jip.  50,  51  ;  Lettres  de  Marie  de  I'ln- 
curnation,  p.  305. 

'  There  is  no  trace  of  such  reflec- 
tions in  the  writings  of  Father 
Jogues. 


'     -f 


lU 


HISTORY  OP  NEW  FRANCE. 


1642.     made  ten  clays'  joumey  in  canoes,  after  wliicli  they  had  to 
^^""y^^  march  again,  and  the  i^riaoncrs,  most  of   whom  could 
scarcely  stand,  were,  moreover,  loaded  with  the  baggage 
of  their  pitiless  masters. 

Father  Jogues,  in  his  memoirs,  states  that  the  first  days 
his  captors  did  not  stint  them  in  food,  but  that  this  gi-adu- 
ally  diminished,  and  that,  towards  the  close  of  his  march, 
he  was  no  less  thau  three  times  for  tweuty-fonr  hours 
without  tasting  food,  tlieu'  provisions  having  almost  entirely 
failed,  on  account  of  the  circuitous  path  which  they  had 
been  obliged  to  take  to  avoid  encountering  hostile  war- 
parties.  He  adds,  that  neither  he  nor  Goupil,  his  com- 
panion, Avere  bound  like  the  rest  at  night,  so  that  they 
might  easily  have  escaped ;  but  the  reasons  which  had 
prevented  him  at  first  diverted  him  to  the  last,  and  the 
young  surgeon  would  never  consent  to  abandon  liim.' 
nio  pris-  At  last  the  whole  troop  arrived  in  a  village  of  the  Mo- 
tortured  in  haA\k  canton,'  where  the  captives  were  again  told  that  they 
ingM  sue-  were  doomed  to  the  stake.  Hero  they  wers  treated  with 
oessivoiy.  ^^^^^^  inhumanity  that  not  a  spot  on  tiieir  bodies  was  left 
Avithout  a  bruise  or  a  wound,  not  a  feature  recognizable. 
After  enduring  the  first  fury  of  the  women  and  children, 
they  had  to  ascend  a  kind  of  scaffold,  and  at  a  signal  the 
three  Frenchmen  received  some  blows  with  a  scourge  on 
the  shoulders ;  then  an  old  man  approached  Father 
Jogues,  attended  by  an  Algonquin  woman,  a  slave,  to 
whom  he  gave  a  knife,  ordering  her  to  cut  off  the  mission- 
ary's right  thumb. 

This  woman,  who  was  a  Christian,  at  first  stood  as  if 
stupefied,  then  declared  that  what  she  was  ordered  to  do 
was  utterly  impossible.  The  old  man,  however,  resorted 
to  such  teiTible  threats  that  she  obeyed.  The  holy  man 
afterwards  declared  that  his  fear  of  seeing  the  woman  tor- 
tured on  his  account,  and  the  joy  which  ho  subsequently 
felt  on   seeing  her   escape   the   peril   by  her   obedience, 


'  Jogues,  Notice  sor  Rene  Gtoupil,        '  August    14.      Jogues    (Kocietas 
p.  yo.  MilituuB,  p.  51'"))  cuUm  it  Auilugorou. 


HISTORY  OP  NEW  FRANCE. 

enabled  him  to  endure  the  pain  which  she  gave  him ;  yet 
sho  made  liim  suffer  more  exquisite  torture  by  the  irreso- 
hite  and  trembhug  manner  in  which  she  performed  the 
operation,  than  if  cruelty  had  guided  her  hand." 

The  prisoners  remained  on  this  scaffold  a  day  and  a  lialf, 
surrounded  by  a  confused  crowd  of  savages,  Avho  were 
allowed  to  subject  them  to  any  treatment  short  of  death. 
They  were  then  taken  to  a  second  village.  Here,  contrary 
to  custom,  they  had  to  run  the  gauntlet ;  wliereas,  accord- 
ing to  rule,  this  should  be  practised  only  in  the  first  town 
they  enter.  There  Father  Jogues,  unable  longer  to  endure 
his  nakedness,  asked  an  Iroquois  whether  he  was  not 
ashamed  to  leave  him  in  that  state  after  having  had  so  large 
a  share  in  the  booty.  The  Indian  seemed  to  feel  the  re- 
proach, for  he  went  and  got  a  box-covering  and  gave  it  to 
the  missionary,  who  used  it  as  best  he  could  to  cover  him- 
self ;  but  as  the  surface  of  his  body  was  all  raw,  this  cloth, 
rough  in  itself  and  bristling  with  bits  of  straw,  caused  him 
snch  acute  pain  that  he  was  forced  to  abandon  it.  Then  the 
sun,  pouring  down  on  his  wounds,  set  bleeding  afresh  by 
this  cloth,  formed  a  cnist  which  fell  off,  from  time  to  time, 
in  pieces." 

It  is  impossible  to  detail  the  cruel  and  imworthy  treat- 
ment which  the  captives  endured  in  the  second  village, 
especially  at  the  hands  of  the  young.  The  torture  lasted 
two  days,  and  no  one  thought  of  giving  them  any  food. 
At  night  they  were  tied  and  shut  up  together  iii  a  cabin, 
but  pain  and  hunger  prevented  sleep  fi-om  bringing  any 
truce  to  their  miseries.  They  were  treated  with  nearly  as 
great  inhnraauity  in  a  third  village,  where  four  Hurons 
were  brought  in  captives  by  another  war-party.' 

These  were  catechumens  whom  Father  Jogues  recog- 


145 

1642. 


i  I 


'  Tanner,  p.  515. 

'  lb.,  p.  510. 

'  Th<!  Moliawks  were  the  Iroquois 
canton  noarcHt  to  the  Dutch,  who 
adopted  the  Mgonquin  name  for  the 
Vol.  II.— 10 


trib»!.  The  tribe  was  typically,  and 
as  a  unit,  "  The  Oroat  She  Bear" 
("  Gonniag.'<ari") ;  Bruyaa,  UacinoB 
AgniercH.  This  term,  in  Algonquin, 
was   "  Mnqua,"    or,    as  the   earlier 


146  HISTORY  OF  NEW  PRANCE. 

'"42'     nized  and  baptized.     At  this  same  place  Couture  had 
a  linger  cut  off,  and  would  not  have  escaped  ui  ^hat  had 


Dutch  WTitrrs  give  it,  "  Mnhakuaaa" 
("  Mcgapolonsia''  in  N.  Y.  Hist.  Soc. 
Coll.,  BiTios  H.,  vol.  iii.,  p.  ir)3).  This 
word  becnmo  ultimatoly  "  Mohawk." 
Sco  intfrmediatc  forms  in  O'Calla- 
ghnn's  Index  to  tlio  New  York 
Coll.  Documents.  The  tribe,  as  in- 
dividuals, called  themselves  "  Oa- 
gTiit'gut'haga"  or  "Kajiiijahaga;" 
the  last  syllable,  haga,  meaning 
people  (BruyaH,  Megapolensis).  Thi^y 
were  not  a  numerous  tribe,  and  con- 
tained only  th(!  three  primitive  fam- 
ilies— the  Tortoise,  Anamire ;  the 
Bear,  OehhiH ,  n.l  the  Wolf,  Ok- 
riiiho  (Megapolensis,  p.  ISO).  They 
generally  formed  three  towns  ;  but, 
after  a  laiwe  of  over  two  centuries, 
th:)  data  are  too  indefinite  to  deter- 
mine their  site  with  abscdute  accu- 
racv  Father  Jogues  names  three 
towns — Otigi  'ncnon,  Andagoron  or 
(Jandagorou,  anil  Teonoutogen — 
which  he  calls  the  most  remote  of 
the  canton.  The  first  was,  according 
to  the  text  of  the  Latin  letter,  twenty 
leagues  from  the  Dutch  post.  Me- 
gapolensis  gives  three  towns — As- 
Bi.Tuea.  of  till'  Tortoise  ;  Banagiro,  of 
the  Bear  ;  and  Thenondiogo,  of  the 
Wolf  family  (p.  159).  Jogues,  on 
his  second  visit,  descended  the 
OTogue,  or  Upiier  Hudson,  to  Fort 
Orangt?,  and  then  followed  the  trail  to 
the  first  town,  Oneugi><re — former- 
ly Ossenienon.  Wentworth  Qreen- 
halgh,  in  1677  (Doc.  Hist.,  i.,  p.  11), 
gives  four  towns — Cahniaga,  Cana- 
gorha,  Canajorha,  and.  Tionondogue. 
The  Jesuit  missionaries,  who  subie- 
(juently  establislied  permanent  Mo- 
hawk missions,  call  Oandawague  the 
motlern  Cauglmawaga,  the  place  of 
Ooupil's  and  Jogues'  death  (IMation, 
IGliS,  ]).  (i ;  1070,  p.  23).  As  to  Teonim- 
togen  there  seians  no  doubt,  its  name 


having  been  retained  by  the  village 
near  Fort  Hunter,  (freeuhalgh  de- 
scribes it  as  having  a  doul)le  stock- 
ade, as  containing  thirty  houses,  and 
being  on  a  hill  a  bow-shot  from  the 
river  (Doc.  Hist.,  i.,  p.  11).  It  was 
then  north  of  th(»  river,  but  was,  soon 
after,  removed  (il).,  ii.,  p.  50) ;  and 
Morgan  (League  of  the  Inxiuois, 
mai))  represents  it  as  south  of  tlio 
Mohawk.  Father  Jogues,  in  repre- 
senting it  as  the  most  remote,  means 
remote  from  the  French,  it  being 
evidently  nearest  to  the  Dutch. 
The  Andagoron  or  Oandagoron  of 
Jogues  is  apparently  the  Canagorha 
of  (ireenhulgh.  It  was  on  a  Hat, 
with  only  one  stockade  and  sixteen 
houses,  and  may  be  the  Giineguhaga 
of  Morgan  (p.  410),  in  Danube,  Her- 
kimer County,  opposite  E.  Canada 
Creek.  The  Ossernenon,  OsserrTon, 
or  Oneug^ire  of  Jogues  will  then  bo 
the  Cahniaga  of  (ireenhulgh,  tho 
Oandabagm'  of  1068-70,  and  Caugh- 
nawaga  of  our  times.  This  is 
the  only  town  placed  by  Morgan 
north  of  the  Mohawk.  He  places  it 
near  the  mouth  of  the  creek,  (ilreen- 
halgli  describes  Cahniaga  as  d()ul)ly 
stockaded,  with  lour  ymtin,  each  I'oiir 
feet  wide,  containing  twenty-four 
houses,  and  .;ituatc  on  tho  edge  of  a 
hill,  about  a  bow-shot  from  the  river- 
side— meaning,  apparently,  Caugh- 
nawaga  Creek — the  Mohawk  being, 
as  we  may  infer  from  Jogues'  account 
of  (ioupil's  death,  three  (juarti'rs  of 
a  milo  distant  (Notice  sur  Keue 
Qoupil,  etc.,  p.  41).  Si'e,  too,  Uelar 
tion,  165;},  p.  15.  This  is,  too,  evi- 
dently tho  Andaraipie  iAn<la«uguc), 
taken  by  Courcelle  in  ()ctol)er,  1660 
(Doc.  Hist.,  i.,  p.  77),  with  its  triple 
])alisades  and  supply  of  water  in 
tanks. 


mSTORY  OP  NEW  FRANCE. 


147 


not  a  man  belonginj^  to  tlio  town  taken  him  from  his  tor- 
turers to  his  own  ciibiu,  where  he  wcnld  not  permit  him 
to  bo  touched.  Nothing  was  more  consoling  to  the  mis- 
sionary than  the  piety  of  this  }oung  man,  and  in  general 
of  all  his  comrades  in  bondage.  Not  one,  amid  these 
great  and  fearful  tortures,  failed  to  maintain  his  fervor ; 
some  even  seemed  afflicted  at  the  insufficiency  of  their 
sufferings.' 

At  last,  after  seven  weeks"  constant  martyrdom,  all, 
contrary  to  their  expectation  and  in  spite  of  oft-repeated 
threats,  were  informed  that  none  were  to  be  pt  t  to  death 
except  three  chiefs.  Among  these  was  tJie  brave  Eustace, 
whose  conversion  has  been  recently  related.  He,  as  well 
as  the  other  two,  received  his  death-sentence  as  a  sincere 
Christian,  and,  till  their  last  breath,  they  carried  their 
heroism  as  far  as  imagination  can  conceive.  As  soon  as 
they  had  been  given  up  to  the  deputies  of  the  villages 
where  they  were  to  be  burnt,  the  other  captives'  were  led 
back  to  the  first  village  of  the  three,  through  which  they 
had  been  paraded.     Here  they  were  to  bo  distributed. 

Ui)  to  this  time,  as  they  belonged  to  no  one  individually, 
no  one  took  any  care  of  them,  and,  on  reaching  this  vil- 
lage, thoy  were  in  a  state  of  complete  exhaustion ;  more- 
over, they  were  soon  thrown  back  into  a  state  of  suspense 
as  to  their  fate,  from  Avliich  they  had  just  been  delivered. 
The  war-party,  repulsed  at  Fort  Richelieu,  came  back, 
breathing  only  vengeance.  The  chief,  and  some  of  the 
bravest,  had  been  killed,  while  the  number  of  wounded 
was  considerable.''  The  prisoners,  after  having  been  so 
long  the  object  of  the  insolence  of  victor}^,  were  now 
doomed  to  experience  the  rage  and  disappointment  , 
defeat ;  and,  notwithstanding  the  hoi)es  which  had  been 


1642. 


Piety  ftnd 

fervor  of  tlio 

prisoners. 


The  lives  of 

all  but  tlirea 

cliiufs 

gpurod. 


Some  of  the 

Dutch  lip- 

ply  for  the 

French. 


'  Tanner,  p.  510. 

"  lb.  Thu  Latin  letter  says  seven 
days. 

'  Joguos  and  Qoupil  were  taken 
from  Auilagoron,  where  the  council 


was  held,  to  Ossernenon,  and  Coutuie 
to  Teonontogon. 

*  Tiiniier,  pp.  513, 518.  Sec  ante,  p. 
l:i3.  The  Relation,  1043,  says  three 
hundred. 


148 


HISTORY  OP  NEW  FRANCE. 


1642. 


Thoj  are  re- 
luscd. 


Martyrdom 
of  Ken(5 
Goupil. 


kindled  in  tlieii'  hearts,  tliey  expected  it  to  cost  them  their 
livcH.  The  friends  and  kindred  of  the  dead  counted  upon  it, 
when  the  Dutch,  who  were  by  chance  in  the  vilhige,  asked 
that  the  three  Frenchmen  should  be  given  up  to  them.' 

This  request  embarrassed  the  Iroquois,  and  led  to  a 
kind  of  negotiation,  in  which  the  fury  enkindled  against  the 
prisoners  somewhat  abated ;  but  this  was  all  the  benefit 
which  the  French  derived.  The  council  at  last  rei^lied  to 
the  Dutch,  that  the  French  were  no  longer  at  theu'  dis- 
posal, it  having  been  decided  to  restore  them  to  their 
countrymen.  This  was  a  mere  pretext,  but  whether  the 
Dutch  understood  it  or  not,  they  pressed  the  matter  no 
further,  and  retii'ed.  Some  of  the  more  moderate  of  the 
Iroquois  had,  indeed,  advised  that  Father  Jogues  and  his 
two  companions  should  be  sent  back  to  Ononthio,  but  all 
the  others  opi^osed  it  strongly.  The  three  Frenchmen  were 
then  given  to  different  masters ;  Couture's  was  in  another 
village,  and  was  apparently  the  same  chief  who  had  already 
rescued  him  from  the  hands  of  his  torturers." 

Eene  Goupil  knew  his  only  at  the  moment  when  that 
savage  dealt  him  a  blow  on  the  head  with  his  tomahawk, 
of  which  he  expired  a  moment  after.  He  was  a  young 
man  of  great  innocence  of  life  and  of  admirable  ingenu- 
ousness. Although  he  had  commenced  his  novitiate  at 
Eouen,  he  was  sent  to  Canada  in  his  secular  habit,  that  ho 
might  exercise  his  profession  with  more  liberty  and  deco- 
rum ;  but  though  he  did  not  wear  the  religious  habit,  his 
condiict  was  not  the  less  strict,  and  his  piety  merited  the 
first  crown  of  martyrdom  in  New  France ;  for  his  master's 
motive  in  thus  depriving  him  of  life  was,  that  an  old  man 
having  seen  him  make  the  sign  of  the  cross  on  a  child,  had 


'  Father  Jogues,  in  his  letter  (Tan- 
ner, p.  olS),  Bfiys  the  Dutch  oilicial 
(Van  CiirliT)  oame  "do  libcrutionu 
noHtnl  acturus,"  not  by  chance  (He- 
lation  dc  hi  Nouvelle  Frimcc,  l(i4;3, 
p.  04).  I'orViin  Curler's  own  account, 
Bee  0'(  'ullughiiu.  New  Nelhcrland,  i., 


pp.  ;335,4C3,404;  Do  Vrios,  Voyages 
from  Holland  to  America,  translated 
from  the  Dutch  by  lleury  ('.  Murphy, 
New  York,  IHSa,  p.  137.  Van  Cuj'- 
ler  was  accompanied  by  Jacob  Jansen 
and  .lohn  Labadie. 
■'  'I'miner,  p.  518. 


HISTORY  OF  NEW  FRANCE. 


14V 


told  liis  mastor  that  if  he  kept  Eon6  ho  would  kill  tho 
■whole  villai^'o  Mitli  his  spoils. 

Father  JogiioH,  who  had  admired  his  virtiio  in  life,  did 
not  scruple  to  invoke  him,  after  so  precious  a  death,  as  a 
confessor  of  Christ.  Ho  even  expected  to  share  his  crown. 
He  witnessed  tho  execution,  and  not  doubting:;  but  that 
they  liad  also  resolved  to  make  way  with  him,  he  was 
about  to  kneel  at  the  murdoj-er's  feet  to  receive  his  death- 
blow in  that  posture ;  but  the  Indian  bade  him  rise,  be- 
cause, though  he  deemed  him  as  guilty  as  his  comrade, 
he  had  no  power  of  life  or  death  over  him.  Tho  apostolic 
man,  again  disappointed  in  his  hope  of  martyrdom,  tliought 
thence  forward  only  of  sanctifying  his  cliauis,  and  rendering 
his  bondage  useful  to  those  who  had  done;  him  so  unieh  evil.' 


1$42. 


At  first  he  was  rather  closely  watched,  but  in  the  sequel 
he  had  a  little  more  liberty,  and  he  even  traversed,  unop- 


Fallior 

.loiriiea 
protits  l)y 

posed  by  his  master,  the  whole  Mohawk  canton  in  which  itrto'Ini'iko 
he  was,  and  the  only  one  which,  till  then,  had  openly  Gw'i'known 


In  one  of  his  excursions  an  event '"  .^Iloi^'™" 

As  he  went 


declared  against  us, 

occurred  which  gave  him  great  consolation 
from  cabin  to  cabin,  in  a  village  near  his  o^vn,  to  see 
whether  he  could  find  any  dying  children  on  whom  ho 
could  confer  bajitism,  he  heard  a  voice  at  a  distance  calling 
him ;  he  ran  to  the  spot,  and  entering  the  cabin  from 
Avhicli  the  sound  came,  he  beheld  a  sick  man,  who  looked 
at  him  steadily  and  asked  whether  the  missionary  did  not 
recognize  him.  He  replied  that  he  did  not  recollect  having 
seen  him.  "  And  T,"  suid  tho  Indian,  "  recognize  you  well. 
Do  you  recollect  the  daj-  Avhen  you  were  hung  up  by  the 
arms  with  ropes,  that  cut  deep  mto  you  and  gave  you  such 
intense  pain  ?"  "  I  remember  it  well,"  replied  the  mission- 
ary. "And  I,"  continued  the  Indian,  "  was  tho  one  who 
took  pity  on  you  and  cut  you  down." ' 


Wonderful 

eouvor- 

siona. 


'  Jogues,  Novum  Holsiuin     .         .  '  Relation  do  la  Noiivcllf  France, 

et  Notice  sur  Rmr  G,)Uiiil,  yp.  22--  IGtT,  p.  ;!2  ;  l()4;i,  p.  81  :  Cnuxius, 

44  :  TanntT,  p.  .TIS.   Rinr  wsis  killod  llibtoria  Cauiulcnsitf,  p.  U81. 
on  St.  MicliiiL'lV  ilii^',  Si'pt.  29. 


160 


HISTORY  OF  NEW  FRANCE. 


,  t 


I.       'i 


1642.  Tlin  aorvant  of  Ood,  ovorjoyod  to  find  a  innn  whom  he 
]iad  loii^'  Hoiij^Iit  to  exi)i'(!ss  liis  f^'vutitudc,  threw  liiniKclf 
upon  liiH  nock  and  cmbraccil  liun  :  "  Brotlicr,"  ho  said,  "  it 
dopondrt  only  on  yoiUHolf  to  let  me  render  to  you,  a  hun- 
dredfold, all  the  good  you  did  me,  and  the  memory  of 
whieh  is  as  fresh  in  ry  mind  as  it  was  at  that  moment, 
when  you  d  ■nio  ,  reat  a  charity.  An  enemy,  more 
cruel  than  al;  i"o.  H;t,n  tortured  mo,  holds  you  in  fetters  : 
you  are,  perhr..  .;,  t>.(.  r';  last  moment  of  your  life,  and  if, 
before  that  fata;  ,  Jinenr  t  'lioh  will  close  your  existence, 
you  do  not  throw  off  the  yi;i».o  li  this  pitiless  master,  what 
will  become  of  you  ?  I  shudder  for  you  when  1  think  of  it. 
Eteriml  flames  will  sun-ound  and  burn  but  never  consume 
you.  The  most  horrible  torments  you  have  ever  conceived 
to  ghit  your  vengeance  on  your  enemies,  do  not  approach 
what  will  be  suffered  through  all  eternity  by  those  who  do 
not  die  Christians." 

These  few  words,  pronounced  in  that  tone  which  renders 
apostolic  men  so  powerful  in  words,  made  all  the  impres- 
sion the  missionary  could  desire  on  a  heart  in  Avhich 
charity  had  paved  the  way  for  the  operations  of  grace. 
The  sick  man  asked  to  be  instructed  ;  and  the  missionary 
had  scarcely  begun  to  explain  the  chief  mysteries  of  the 
faith  than  he  perceived  that  an  unseen  master  anticipated 
his  teaching,  and  impressed  the  truths  of  Christianity  in 
this  predestined  soul.  The  sick  man  opposed  no  doubts 
to  our  most  incomprehensible  mysteries.  Ho  believed, 
was  baptized,  and  died,  a  few  days  after,  in  the  arms  of 
the  servant  of  God,  in  all  the  sentiments  which  character- 
ize the  death  of  the  saints.' 

A  conquest  of  this  kind  was  more  than  enough  to  make 
his  bondage  precious  to  the  man  of  God  ;  but  it  was  not  the 
only  one,  and  ere  long  the  whole  Mohawk  canton,  which 
he  had  bedewed  with  his  blood,  produced  an  abundant 
harvest.     Another  Indian,  wishing  to  save  his  life,  re- 


•  Relation  de  la  Nouvclle  France,  p.  82. 


mSTOUY  OP  NEW  FKANCB. 


151 


iiiun- 
er  (if  utiier 
I'lirivor- 
siuim. 


coivod  on  liis  arm  a  blow  of  a  tomalmwk,  aimod  iit  liis  life,  1642, 
and  liouvcn  rewarded  him  in  tlio  aanio  uuuincr  as  it  did  r-^ 
the  Indian  I  have  just  niontiouod.'  Many  other  sick  finut 
Indians  listened  with  docility  to  the  instructions  of  tho 
holy  missionary,  in  whom  they  were  always  aeeompaniod 
by  all  that  the  most  tender  and  ingenious  charity  can 
inspire  a  f^reat  heart ;  and  by  his  earnest  care  a  great 
number  of  children  went  to  swell  tho  choir  in  heaven  that 
folloM'8  tho  Lamb  without  spot."  These  conversions  cost 
liim  much  toil.  Tho  mere  jcnirneys  were  a  great  torture 
to  a  man  whose  strength  was  exhausted,  and  wlio  was 
forced  to  live  almost  entirely  on  roots.  Not  that  the  In- 
dians refused  him  the  necessaries  of  life ;  but  as,  gen- 
erally, nothing  was  set  before  him  that  had  not  been  first 
oilered  to  Agreskoue,  he  did  not  beheve  that  ho  cotild  in 
conscience  touch  it.° 

It  was  about  this  same  time  that  a  nation  dwelli'!|' 
about  south-southwest  of  tho  Huron  country,  and  four  i  • 
five  days'  journey  oft',  was  visited  by  tho  Jesuits,  who 
announced  to  it  the  kingdom  of  God.*  These  Fathers 
give  it,  in  their  memoirs,  no  name  but  that  of  the  Neutral 
nation,  apj^arently  because  they  declined  to  take  any  part 
in  the  war  then  desolating  the  whole  country.'    But  it 


Neiitor  nn> 

tio'l 


\\'\ 


'  This  case  is  niisplncptl  here. 
Tho  Indiiiii  woundfil  in  tlic  arm, 
while  tryiiij;  to  siivo  Fatlier  Jnf^iu's, 
vaa  Kifitsnoton,  wounded  when  tho 
inisHioiiary  was  killed,  in  l(il7 :  Ki-- 
hition,  1048,  p.  0;  Crcuxius,  Ilis- 
toria  ranadcnsis,  p.  G09. 

'  Relation  de  lu  N.  P.,  1047,  p. 
81  ;  1043,  p.  81  ;  Tanner,  p.  523. 

a  Tanner,  p.  .'531. 

*  The  Neuters  lay  on  hoth  sides  of 
tho  Nia(,mra  (Ui^lation,  1041,  p.  71 1. 
Bressani  inakeM  them  one  hundred 
miles  I'roni  the  Ifuroiis,  and  extend- 
ing over  a  territory  of  one  hundred 
and  fifty  miles  (.Martin's  Bressiini, 
p.  02).  Tho  Hnrons  and  Neuters 
called   each   other  Attiwandarouk, 


mnnninp;  "  people  of  a  lansfunge  a 
little  different"  (Relation  di'la  Nouv. 
France,  l(i41,  ]).  73).  The  .Jesuits 
were  not  the  first  to  vl.;.  them,  as 
renuirked  helow. 

'  Tho  name  Neuter  is  t;ivcn  by 
Ohampluin,  Voynjres.  ed.  KilO,  and 
ed.  101^3,  p.  37;i;  Tal.le,  p.  7  ;  Sa^ 
gnrd,  ((rand  Voynge.  p.  311.  Dail- 
lou's  letter,  July  IS,  1037  (in  Sagard, 
pp.  880-03.  Lo  Clercii,  i..  p.  ;iOO) 
dcHoribes  their  country,  whieli  evi- 
dently included  oil-siiringK,  since  he 
luentions  among  their  products  very 
go<jd  oil,  wliicli  they  call  li  touron- 
ton.  Sagard  (]>.  !-l);j)  pay.s  the  word 
means  "Uh,ho\v  much  there  is  I"  not 
inapplicable  to  tho  oil  in  that  region. 


A': 


u% 


eiSTOUY  OF  NKW   FUANCB. 


!l 


164Z.  could  not,  in  tlio  Hoqiiol,  avoiil  its  utter  doHtruction  ; 
altli()n;,'li  to  sliit'ld  itHolf  from  tlio  fury  of  the  Irocjuoia, 
who,  uiiprovokod,  luid  inado  suvonil  iucuiHions  into  tlioir 
territory,  tlioy  offered  to  take  their  side  and  join  thera 
against  the  Hiirous,  from  whom,  apparently,  they  Hpran<,'. 

This  step  did  not  save*  them.  The  Iiocjuois  were  then 
in  a  d(>stmctive  nujod  ;  and  as  lions,  when  once  they  havo 
tasted  blood,  cjinnot  f.,'lut  themselvcss  with  it,  and  no  more 
spare  tliosi;  who  feed  and  fondle  them  than  those  who 
hunt  them,  tJiese  barbarians  swoojx'd  down  without  dis- 
tinction on  all  whoiu  they  met  in  their  c(mrso  :  and  now 
no  trace  is  left  of  the  Neutral  nation.  These  Indians 
•were,  it  is  said,  lar},'er,  stronj^'ei*,  and  better  made  than 
most  of  the  rest.  They  had  almost  all  the  manners  and 
eustonis  of  the  Hurons,  except  that  they  were  even  more 
cruel  to  their  j)risonei-s  of  war ;  for  they  burnt  women 
with  the  same  cruelty  as  men,  while  the  Hurons  killed 
them  on  the  spot.  They  also  showed  less  modesty,  wero 
not  so  sede^itary,  and  lived  rather  by  hunting  than  by 
agriculture,  cultivating  the  ground  but  little.' 

Clod  had  his  elect  among  these  savages,  but  only  few  in 
numbei,  and  Fathers  Chaumouot  and  de  13rebeuf  wore  his 
instruments  to  separate  the  few  good  grains  scattered  in 
the  mass  of  tares."  As  early  as  1020,  Father  de  Daillou,  a 
lleeollect,  penetrated  to  thr.-ir  country  ;  but  as  he  did  not 
know  their  language,  he  could  announce  Christ  (mly  by 
1643.  signs.  This  holy  religious  suffered  greatly  on  this  excur- 
sion ;  but  he  Avas  consoled  by  the  hope  that  his  sweat 
would  fertilize  that  sterile  field.' 

The  two  Jesuits  whom  I  have  just  named  had  been  in- 
vited by  the  leading  men  to  visit  the  tribe;  but  they 
did  not  find  the   Neuters  by  far  so  favorably  disposed 


Frnit»  of 
(tract'  on 
this  iiiis- 
'     sioii. 


'  Relation  de  la  Nouvello  Franco, 
1641,  p.  73. 

'  IJolatinn  do  la  Nouvillo  Frnnco, 
IVtli,  \'y>.  71-81  ;  Chaumonot,  Auto- 
biograpliju,  p.  5lf. 


'  See  his  inten-sting  letter  in  Sa- 
gard,  Ilistoire  du  Canada,  p.  880-02 
— abridged  in  lo  C'lercq,  Etablisse- 
ment  do  la  Foi,  i.,  p.  yid  ;  lielation 
do  la  N.  P.,  1641,  p.  74. 


(  ARTK  1)K 

LISLK   J)K  MONTHKAf. 

KT  1)K  Si:S  ENVIRONS 

Dri'.Hl'f*'  i'ui' IfN  MimiiHfpils  (111  Dcjio.Ml  ilcs  Carles  iMaiiK 
ft  •JouriuMix  (If  hiMiiriiu- 


/i/r\  HfHinhufnui'iir  if  Ihihoifrofthf  i/r  In  Miinnf 

'-44 


fh 


'      t 


J 
f'r/ll'lii'\r 


\ 


ttit/iuU 
ill  J'rtnt 


~     \!'>irviAV,r-V'.lniii'     \       /     ',f< 

V-'"-     lb   '       ^-  N^  /'«ui/ir/iiiri-^  JZ_ 


\ 


s 


/ 


.<e     / 


■  <\^ 


ri 


'"..V, 


A 


V' 


V^,,  "'7^  "'*'U  a(ftii'iiif 


,.^' 


--v" 


f" 


I'll 


'-'C-y 


4;. 


/ 
A 


•".///,/,./ 


fCl  0    '/'  L  I'liiiii.v.yr  il,,        » 
I  J-    J  -Uiittt  *.^ 

V^    J  •Vtiiill  ,/„  ffrrxlft      > 


1  ''-S' 


'H.^ 


^'•(i^fci"- ■■''!, 


ii    luiiu'tu-ll 


./"J 


|,/  >  ^  f')!  iiii/iiiiriihiiv  III 


; 


,y 


v 


■  I'U/J  ■ 

l.iciie.v  (•(•iiiiiiuni.v  ilr  /•'idiicr  ilr  Ji,Si  '/tn.rtw 
\i  ..  ./  i'  .7  ^ 

\>.  ^ii^l^ •mmilU.llMMItt, ~tlli..»M.».i.!:n.i.r.:ii;ini,i..»i».mi^ 


k-rmnan  ■"lii'liT'-'IMf'T  li 


fe'll. 


■iiiiiii;.  ^'g'lii 


I 


U/imlhi/iil  -S'l'ii/f) 


.\ 


t  . 


niSTORT  OF  NEW  FRANCE. 


153 


to  hearken  to  tli(>in.  Still,  tlieir  charity  to  the  sick,  their 
mildness  uud  tlieir  pjitience,  Avon  the  hearts  of  some, 
whom  they  succeeded  in  making  fervent  proselytes.  This 
first  success  would  have  had  consoHng  results,  had  it  been 
possible  for  these  missionaries  to  jirolong  their  stay  among 
this  people  ;  but  thoy  were  soon  recalled  to  the  Hurons, 
whose  misfortunes  increased  daily.' 

It  was  not  only  Avar  that  desolated  them  :  famine  and  dis- 
ease inHicted  no  less  serious  ravages  among  them.  But  if 
all  these  complicated  evils  Avere  stumbling-blocks  for  the 
hardened,  they  strengthened  the  faith  and  increased  the 
piety  of  the  true  faitliful.  They  were  even  the  uistru- 
ments  employed  by  God  to  draAV  many  of  the  heathen  to 
his  Avorship.  Clearly  defined  marks  of  the  vengeance  of 
an  oiFeuded  Deity  contribu'.ou  also.  Soon  after  Father 
Jogues'  capture  a  whole  Huron  village  was  destroyed. 
The  Iroquois  entered  at  daybreak,  and  the  sun  rose  on 
CA-ery  cabin  in  ashes,  every  hihabitaut,  of  whatever  age  or 
sex,  slaughtered  by  the  conquerors.  Only  some  score 
escaped  through  the  flames.  This  village  had  never 
been  Avilling  to  receive  the  gospel,  and  had  carried  its 
impiety  so  far  as  to  defy  the  God  of  the  Christians.  Its 
destruction  Avas  regarded  as  a  chastisement  of  heaven, 
and  uuiuy  profited  by  so  striking  a  mark  of  God's 
Avi'ath.'' 

A  less  melancholy  event  produced  no  less  salutary 
results  for  the  H'lron  nation.  One  of  the  Avar-parties  Avas 
setting  out,  when  the  idolaters,  forming  the  majority, 
Avishcd  as  usual  to  consult  the  god  of  Avar  ;  and  the  medi- 
cine-man, to  whom  they  applied  to  knoAV  his  will,  promised 
them  victory  if  they  went  soutlnvard.  While  they  Avcre 
engaged  in  their  superstitious  rites  the  Christians  assem- 
bled apart  to  pray ;  and  Avhen  thoy  learned  the  demon's 
answer,  or  that  of  his  tool,  the  youngest,  armed  Avith  a  holy 


1643- 


Judffment 

ol'dcid  oil  a 

Huron  vil- 

lii.'e. 


'  Rclntiim  de  la  N.  F.,  1041,  p.  75.     towD  of  Ehwno.     See  Rclution  da  la 
•  Tills  alludes,  nppiirently,  to  the    Nouvulle  Francis,  1041,  p.  OS). 


154 


HISTORY  OP  NEW  FRANCK 


1643. 


Its  result. 


Information 

given  by 

Fntlier 

Jogiies  to 
the  gdviTii- 
or-gcucnil. 


indiguation,  and  with  gestures  that  attracted  the  attention 
of  the  whole  village,  conjured  the  Almiglity  not  to  permit 
success  to  verify  the  word  of  the  LuLor  of  lies.  "  Thy 
own  Glory  is  at  stake,"  he  added  ;  "  show  that  Thou  art 
the  only  arbiter  of  our  lot.  If  the  promises  of  the  enemy 
of  our  salvation  are  accomplished,  these  men  will  blas- 
pheme Thy  holy  name  ;  biit  let  us  rather  perish  all  than 
witness  so  great  an  evil." ' 

These  sentiments  will  perhaps  appear  to  some  above 
the  scope  of  an  Indian,  and  especially  of  an  Indian  con- 
vert ;  but  it  must  be  remembered  that  they  can  come  in 
no  man,  but  from  Him  to  whom  it  is  as  easy  to  inspire  the 
most  gi'oss  as  the  most  cultivated  of  men.  The  young 
man  did  not  stop  there  ;  for  addressing  his  fellow-braves, 
lie  said  :  "  My  brethren,  let  us  beware  of  yielding  to  the 
enemy  of  our  souls,  by  following  the  route  he  marks  out. 
Let  us  go  westward.  Wo  shall,  to  all  appearance,  run 
greater  risk,  but  the  God  of  armies  will  be  on  our  side." 
The  two  bands  accordingly  separated.  The  Christians 
met  noae  of  the  enemy  and  no  mishap  :  the  idolaters  were 
defeated  with  severe  loss.  Then  several  Indians,  struck 
by  an  event  which  attested  the  ignorance  and  impotence 
of  Agrcskoue,  or  rather  the  imposture  of  the  medicine- 
men, openly  declared  for  the  Deity  whose  power  the 
young  Christian  had  so  greatly  exalted." 

Meanwhile,  tidings  reached  Quebec  fi'om  Father  Jogues, 
who  was  supposed  to  be  dead.  One  of  the  Hurons  taken 
with  him  escaped  and  reached  the  Chevalier  de  Mont- 
niagny.  He  told  him  that  the  missionary  was  in  the 
hands  of  an  Iroquois  chief,  who  hud  no  power  o^er  him, 
the  canton  having  declined  to  waive  its  right  to  dispose  of 
him  ;  that  it  seemed,  from  time  to  time,  disposed  to  send 
him  back  ;  but  that  the  holy  man  was  in  constant  danger, 
and  his  life  hung  by  a  thread,  amid  a  fierce,  capricious, 
and   superstitious   people,  whom   the  Dutch  plied  Avith 


'  Relation  dr  la  N.  F,,  1044,  p.  70.  « lb. 


.    i 


HISTORY  OF  NEW  FRANCE. 


155 


drinks  that  filled  all  the  land  with  drunkards  and  caused     1643. 
fearful  disorders.'  ^— v— ' 

A  few  days  after,  the  governor-general  received  a  letter 
from  Father  Jogues  himself.  It  stated  that  the  whole 
Iroquois  nation  was  in  arms,  and  seemed  resolved  to  give 
the  Hurons  no  truce  till  it  destroyed  them ;  that  their 
project  was  to  ruin  all  their  villages,  take  all  the  prisoners 
they  could,  so  as  to  incorporate  them  in  their  cantons  and 
to  fill  up  the  losses  made  by  war ;  that  if  the  French 
delayed  any  longer  to  assist  an  allied  natioii,  already  num- 
bering many  Christians,  whose  trade  was  useful,  not  to 
say  necei'sary,  to  the  French  colony,  its  loss  was  certain ; 
and  then  men  would  repent,  Avhen  too  late,  for  not  having 
sustained  it.  He  added  that  they  should  not  be  withheld 
by  fears  of  what  might  happen  to  him  if  the  efforts  of  the 
Iroquois  were  repulsed  ;  that  they  shoiild  be  convinced, 
once  for  all,  that  the  way  lo  bring  these  savages  to  terms 
and  assiire  the  safety  of  his  own  person,  was  not  to  humor 
them  at  the  expense  of  our  allies,  but  to  inspire  them  with 
respect  for  the  French  name ;  that  imder  any  event  he 
would  be  overjoyed  to  sacrifice  his  life  for  the  cause  of 
religion,  the  good  of  the  colony,  the  honor  of  France,  and 
the  preservation  of  his  beloved  Hurons." 

The  governor  admired  the  devotedness  of  the  mission-  Pnavailinj; 
ary  ;   and,  in   his  inability  to  give  the  Hurons  the  aid  ''to'deiwer* 
they  required,  deemed  that  nothing  should  be  neglected,       '""" 
and  no  time  lost,  to  save  a  man  whose  captivity  had 
akeady  cost  so  many  tears.     He  had  just  learned  that 
some  Algonquins  had  brought  into  Quebec  a  Sokoki  cap- 
tive.    This  tribe,  lying  near  New  England,  was  then  allied 
to  the  Iroquois.    He  ransomed  the  captive ;  and  though 
he  had  been  very  badly  treated  by  those  in  whose  hands 
he  was,  he  was  so  well  cared  for,  by  the  governor's  orders, 
that  he  was  perfectly  cured.     He  was  then  loaded  with 


'  Rolation  de  la  NouvoUe  France,    Nouvelle  France,  It)  l:i,  p.  fi(j ;  PorUs 
1043,  1).  6.'i ;  1044,  p.  71.  of  the  Ocean  and   ^Vilde^nes8,  p. 

'  See  the  letter,  Relation  de  la    03. 


156 


HISTORY  OF  NEW  FRANCE. 


1643.     presents  and  pnt  iu  the  hands  of  an  Abenaqiiis,  who  led 

^■^"^-""^  him  back  to  his  village.' 

This  man  not  only  avowed  openly  his  obligations  to  the 
French,  bnt  also  induced  his  tribe  to  send  and  ask  Father 
Jognes  from  the  Mohawks.  Deputies  were  appointed, 
who  snj^portcd  their  request  with  presents.  These  depu- 
ties were  w  ell  received  and  their  presents  accepted.  They, 
in  fact,  no  longer  doubted  the  success  of  their  negotiation, 
because  there  is  nothing  more  sacred  among  the  Indians 
than  the  obligation  incurred  by  such  an  acceptance. 
Nevertheless,  when  the  time  came  for  explanation,  the 
Mohawks  declared  bluntly  that  they  were  determined  not 
to  restore  the  missionary  to  liberty." 
He  lenrns       About  the  month  of  July,  this  same  year,  the  village 

death  is  .ie-  where  the  servant  of  vlod  was  sent  off  a  large  party  to 
fish.  He  had  changed  masters,  and  was  now  in  the 
hands  of  an  old  woman,  on  whose  treatment  he  had  reason 
to  congratulate  himself.  As  she  resolved  to  go  with  the 
party,  he  was  obliged  to  attend  her.  Ho  had  scarcely 
reached  the  destination,  when  he  heard  that  some  Huron 
prisoners  had  been  brought  down  to  the  village  he  had 
left,  and  biu-ned.  He  experienced  a  poignant  grief  ;>*" 
having  been  unable  to  be  present  and  attend  them 
death ;  and  fearful  that  the  scene  should  be  renewed  in 
his  absence,  he  sought  and  obtained  ;  .■■....  ission  to  return.' 
On  his  way  he  passe:!  a  Dutiii  settli  v  ent,  which  he 
entered,  and  was  there  assured  thet  h.c  «  jakl  be  infallibly 
burned  on  his  arrival  in  the  village.  The  proof  alleged 
for  this  was  the  fact,  that  an  Iroquois  party  having  been 
again  repulsed  at  Fort  Richelieu,  this  check  was  attributed 
to  him ;  because  a  Huron  had  deserted  from  that  party 


'  Relation  de  la  N.  F.  liMll.  pp. 
41.  77.  'I'lic  Si)kokiiii.'<  (So(iu;ikiuks, 
thcise  of  the  Soutlirnilaml),  were  an 
Alf^onquin  tritw,  lyini;  between  the 
Moliepnns  and  the  Abi'nakin.     The 


ia  styled  by  DruUletes  (Xarre  du 
Voyag:e)  the  river  of  the  SokokiS, 
Mauruult,  Hist,  dea  Ab.,  p.  5,  1^3. 

"■  Relation  de  la  N.  F.,  1043,  p-  77. 

"  Relation  de  la  Nmivelle  France, 


Connecticut  (Ivunnteguk,  1-onfjriver)     1467,  p.  33  ;  1043,  p.  75. 


HISTORY  OF  NEW  FRANCE. 


157 


and  carried  a  letter  from  the  missionary  to  the  governor  1643. 
of  the  French.  This  was  the  letter  already  mentioned, 
and  all  the  circumstances  were  exactly  true.'  The  holy 
man  subsequently  avowed  that  this  information  at  first 
fiUed  him  with  alarm,  but  that,  after  gathering  strength 
fiom  prayer,  he,  without  a  struggle,  offered  to  God  the 
sacrifice  of  his  life.  Thus  the  Almighty  permits  the  great- 
est souls  to  feel,  from  time  to  time,  all  their  weakness,  in 
order  that  they  may  in  nowise  depend  on  theii*  own 
virtues ;  but  when  they  humble  themselves  in  His  pres- 
ence, by  acknowledging  tl'eii'  need  of  His  aid,  He  is  never 
wanting. 

The  servant  of  God  accordingly  prepared  to  pursue  his 
way,  resolved  to  meet  any  event,  when  a  Dutch  officer, 
who  commanded  in  that  district,  arrived  at  the  post. 
Perceiving  a  European  led  by  a  band  of  Indians,  he  asked 
who  he  was.  He  was  told  that  he  was  Father  Jogues,  and 
they  added  that  he  was  on  the  point  of  being  burned.  He 
was  touched  ;  and  as  he  sought  an  opportunity  to  gratify 
the  Chevalier  de  Montmagny,  from  whom  he  had  recently 
received  a  service,  he  felt  that  he  could  do  nothing  more 
agreeable  to  that  governor  than  to  obtain  the  liberty  of 
the  missionary."  He  formed  a  plan ;  and  it  is  even 
asserted  that  orders  to  that  effect  had  been  sent  out  to  all 
the  commandants  in  New  Netherlaud  by  tlie  States- 
General,  in  consequence  of  the  most  urgent  request  of  the 
Queen-Eegent  of  France. 

Be  that  as  it  may,  the  officer,  after  deliberating  for  a  a  Di 
time  on  the  means  of  carrying  out  his  project,  called 
Father  Jogues  and  told  him  that  there  was  a  vessel  at 
anchor  quite  near  the  post,  which  was  to  weigh  forthwith 
for  Virginia ;  that  he  would  be  secure  there,  and  once 
at  Jamestown,  -would  find  convenient  opportunities  for 
going  to  any  point  he  clioso.     The  holy  religious,  afte 


of- 
flc<         era 
to        ver 
hi       -om 

tlir  laUldg 

01  the  Iro- 

I'lois. 


'  Relation  de  la  Nouvelle  France, 
1643,  p.  75 ;  Momoirs,  MS. 


'  Relation  de  la  Nouvelle  France, 
1048,  p.  71}. 


168 


HISTORY  OF  NEW  FRANCE. 


Ho  accepts 
the  oll'ur. 


1643.  testifying  his  gratitude,  asked  a  night  to  deliberate  on 
Lis  offer.  This  surprised  the  commandant  not  a  little,  for 
ho  could  not  conceive  how  a  man  in  so  critical  a  position 
could  hesitate  for  a  moment  to  extricate  himself. 

The  servant  of  God  spent  the  whole  night  in  prayer : 
and  after  considering  that  his  death  was  certain  if  he  re- 
tiu'ned  to  his  village ;  that  such  a  death  could  be  of  no 
benefit,  but,  on  the  contrary,  only  remove  still  further  aU 
hope  of  peace  between  the  Iroquois  and  the  French ;  that 
not  having  started  on  his  parole,  but  under  an  escort 
assigned  by  hi.^  captors  to  watch  him,  he  was  not  bound 
to  refuse  the  means  of  escape  offered ;  and  that  by  saving 
his  life  he  might  also  be  useful  to  the  tribes  in  Canada,  he 
returned  to  the  commandant  early  next  morning  and  told 
him  that  he  i)ut  himself  at  his  disposal.  This  officer,  with- 
out losing  a  moment,  began  by  inducing  the  Indians  not 
to  start  that  day,  as  they  intended.  Ho  then  went  to 
make  t^^ure  of  the  crew  of  the  vessel,  and  all  being  well- 
disposed,  he  notified  Father  Jogues  to  come  the  next  night 
to  the  Hca-shore,  where  he  would  find  s  joat  ready  to  take 
him  on  beard 
He  escapes.  The  difficulty  was  to  baffle  the  vigilance  of  his  guards, 
much  greater  by  night  than  by  day,  and  to  avoid  meeting 
other  Iro(iuois,  who  kept  coming  and  going  incessantly  in 
that  qiiarter.  He  was  shut  up  at  night  in  a  barn,  and  as 
they  did  not  gi-"  e  him  an  opportunity  to  examine  whether 
there  was  any  other  outlet  than  the  ordinary  door  by 
which  he  could  steal  away,  as  soon  as  he  was  shut  up 
with  his  guiivdians  he  made  a  pretext  for  going  out.  He 
V  as  scarcely  however  outside,  when  a  dog,  set  loose  on  a 
neighboring  farm,  ran  on  him  and  bit  him  in  the  leg.  He 
went  in  badly  Avounded,  and  the  barn-door  was  immediately 
barricadcsd,  so  tliat  he  could  not  open  it  without  great  noise. 
All  the  Indians  then  lay  down  around  their  prisoner.' 


'  Relation  de  la  Nouvello  France,    nadcoalB,  p.  389  ;    Buteux,  Narre, 
1643,  p.  70;  Creuxius,  Iliatoria  Ca-    MS. 


•^  »..v'^; 


HISTORY  OF  NEW  FRANCE, 


159 


The  servant  of  God  then  doenicd  fliglit  impossible,  and 
easily  persuaded  himself  that  heaven  did  not  approve  it. 
He  bowed  to  its  decrees  and  slept  calmly.  A  little  before 
daybreak  a  servant  of  the  place  entered  by  a  docn-  which 
the  Indians  had  not  noticed.  Father  Jogues,  who  awoke 
or  was  no  longer  asleep,  motioned  to  the  man  to  quiet  the 
dogs ;  he  rose  softly,  went  out  with  him  and  made  his  way 
to  the  riverside.  He  found  the  bout,  but  without  sailors, 
and  so  high  up  on  the  bank  that  ho  could  not  succeed  in 
getting  it  afloat.  Ho  got  as  near  the  vessel  as  ho  could, 
and  called  to  them  to  send  some  one  to  him.  No  rejily 
came.  He  went  back  to  the  boat,  imploring  the  Almighty 
to  increase  his  strength  if  it  was  His  will  that  he  should 
escape  from  the  hands  of  the  Iroquois.  His  renewed  eflbrts 
succeeded  ;  the  boat  was  at  last  pushed  into  the  water  and 
he  reached  the  vessel.' 

He  was  well  received,  put  down  in  the  hold,  and  a  case 
laid  on  the  hatchway,  so  that  if  the  Indians  came  on  ^  oard 
they  might  be  left  to  search  all  over  without  any  fear  of 
their  finding  him.  On  two  occasions  he  sjjent  twenty-four 
hours  in  this  kind  of  dungeon,  shut  out  from  the  light  of 
day  and  almost  stifled.  At  the  end  of  that  time  they  came 
to  tell  him  that  the  Iroquois  insisted,  with  violent  threats, 
that  he  should  be  given  up,  and  the  tone  of  their  remarks 
induced  him  to  believe  that  they  did  not  wish  to  get  into 
trouble  with  them.  Like  Jonas,  he  rephed  :  "  If  for  my 
sake  this  great  tempest  is  upon  you,  cast  me  into  the  sea." 
He  was  then  informed  that  the  commandant  wished  to 
see  him  at  his  house.  He  made  no  reply,  and  in  spite  of 
the  sailors,  who  would  have  kept  him  by  force,  got  into 
the  boat  and  was  taken  back  to  the  post." 

The  commandant  assured  him  that  he  would  be  safe  in 
his  house ;  adding,  that  all  in  the  place  agi-eed  that  it  was 
best  for  him  to  leave  the  vessel,  then  on  the  point  of  sail- 
ing, so  that  they  could  assure  the  Indians  that  he  had  not 


1643. 


'  Rel.,  164;J,  p.  77  ;  Buteux,  MS.       '  Rel.,  1643,  p.  78 ;  1647,  p.  ;J3. 


IGO 


IlISTOUY   OF  NEW   FRANCE. 


1643. 


■^Tn  (irrivos 


Ho  crng-ios 

over  ti> 

Fruncc. 

1644. 


gone,  and  thus  treat  more  iimiciibly  witli  them.  Father 
JogucH  conoeived  fully  the  extent  of  his  danger,  l)ut  as 
escape  no  longer  depended  on  him,  he  told  the  officer  to 
dispose  of  him  as  he  chose.  Two  weeks  after,  that  is  to 
say,  about  the  middle  of  September,  several  Indians  camo 
from  the  village  where  he  had  been  a  slave,  bent  apjiarcntly 
on  forcing  the  Dutch  to  give  him  up.' 

The  commander  Avas  greatly  embarrassed.  Ho  was  in  no 
condition  to  resist  tlio  Tmlians  if  they  resorted  to  violence. 
Ho  oft'ered  to  ransom  their  prisoner,  and  finally  succeeded 
in  inducing  them  lo  accept  some  presents.  He  then  sent 
Father  Jogues  to  Manhattan,'  where  ho  embarked  in  a 
small  vessel  of  fifty  tons,  which  sailed  on  the  5th  of  No- 
vember for  Holland.  The  voyage  was  a  favorable  one; 
but  a  high  wind,  that  sprang  up  as  they  were  entering  the 
British  Channel,  compelled  the  captain  to  put  in  at  Fal- 
mouth, in  England.  As  soon  as  they  camo  to  anchor  all 
the  crow  landed,  leaving  only  a  single  man  to  guard  the 
vessel.  In  the  evening  robbers  came  on  board  and  seized 
all  that  suited  them,  leaving  Father  Jogues  almost  naked.* 

He  would  have  died  of  cold  and  hunger  had  not  a  French 
ship  come  by  chance  to  anchor  in  the  same  port.  The 
captain,  informed  of  the  missionary's  condition,  gave  him 
sei;  ,  tnable  relief.  On  Christmas  eve,  Father  Jogues  hear- 
ing that  a  collier  was  about  to  start  for  Brittany,  asked  a 
passage  on  board  :  it  was  cheerfully  granted,  and  he 
lauded,  in  a  sailor's  garb,  between  Brest  and  St.  Paul  de 
Leon.*    On  the  5th  of  January'  li^e  presented  himself,  in  the 


'  For  his  condition  wliilo  concealed 
on  shore,  see  Relation  do  la  Nou- 
vello  France,  1047,  p.  33. 

»  Reliition  de  la  NouvcUe  France, 
1(547,  p.  34.  Father  Jogues  wrote 
an  interesting  description  of  the 
Dutch  colony:  Novum  Btlgium,  De- 
Bcriiitiou  de  Nieuw  Netherland  et 
Notice  sur  Rem'  Ooupil,  New  Yorlt, 
1802.  I'ubli^lied  also  separately, 
in  Englibh,  with  notes,  in  4o. 


'  0'Call£ghan,  New  Netherland, 
i.,  p.  386  ;  Relation  de  la  Nouvelle 
France,  1043,  i)p.  79,  81. 

■*  This  ix)rt  is  properly  St.  Pol  de 
Leon :  Relation  de  la  N.  F.,  1047, 
p.  34.  CreuxiuH  gives  some  details 
as  to  his  liiniling  in  France,  which 
are  not  in  the  Relation  :  Historia 
Canadensis,  p.  391. 

'  Jogues,  Letter  of  January  5, 
1044. 


HISTORY  OP  NEW   FRANCE. 


161 


same  giiiso,  at  tho  door  of  tlio  College  at  Rennos,  and 
asked  for  tho  rector,  for  Avhoui,  ho  said,  he  had  tidings  of 
Father  Jogxxcs.  Tho  rector  came  down  at  once,  and  tho 
supposed  sailor,  without  uttering  a  word,  handed  him  an 
open  letter  given  him  by  the  Governor  of  Manhattan,  with 
tho  view  of  obtaining  for  him  in  Holland  whatever  he 
might  need  to  reach  France.' 

Tho  rector,  before  rcaduig  tho  paper,  asked  him  what 
had  become  of  Father  Jogues.  The  holy  man  looked  at 
him  with  a  smile.  Tho  rector  recognized  him  then,  fell  on 
his  neck,  bathed  him  in  tears,  and  was  so  affected  that  for 
a  time  ho  clasped  him  to  his  heart,  unable  to  utter  a  word. 
Tho  servant  of  God  remained  a  few  days  at  Eennes  and 
Bet  out  for  Paris,  where  his  escape  was  known  and  ho  liim- 
self  irapati(!utly  expected.  The  Queen  Mother  wished  to 
Bee  him,  and  gave  him  a  welcome  worthy  of  her  piety.' 
The  Pope,  from  whom  he  solicited  permission  to  celebrate 
tho  divine  mysteries  with  his  mutilated  hands,  rephed  that 
it  Avould  be  unjust  to  refuse  a  martyr  of  Christ  tho  right  to 
drink  the  blood  of  Christ:  "  Indignum  esset  Christi  mar- 
tyiom,  Christi  uon  bibere  sanguiuom." 

It  must  be  confessed  that  the  holy  missionar;y  was  then 
in  a  delicate  position  for  virtue  less  soUd  than  animated 
him.  Nothing  is  so  apt  to  seduce  a  heart,  where  a  spark 
of  ambition  and  self-love  remains,  as  to  see  one's  self 
honored  on  such  just  grounds,  as  a  saint  who  has  done 
and  suffered  what  seems  to  exceed  the  powers  of  man. 
But  Father  Jogues,  taught  that  God  is  jealous  not  only  of 
the  glory  which  emanates  from  his  own  excellenco  but 
also  of  that  which  he  derives  fiom  our  virtues,  which  we 
owe  to  his  grace,  would  not  expose  himself  to  lose  the 
fruit  of  his  toils  and  suffermgs  by  the  least  feeling  of 
complacency.  Never  was  man  more  deeply  grounded  in 
humility ;  it  was  his  esiiecial  characteristic,  and  he  was, 


1644, 


IIo  nskg  a 

iliHpciiaa- 
tioti  to  uny 
Mntis  with 
lii.^  iniitilat- 
cil  liiintU. 
Tho  I'opo's 
reply. 


Hia  especial 

clmracteria- 
tio. 


'  Relation  de  la  Nouvelle  France, 
1647,  p.  35. 
Vol.  II— 11 


'  Relation  de  la  Nouvelle  France, 
1647,  p.  35. 


1G2 


IIISTOUV  OK  Ni;\V   FRANCE. 


1644.     tliorcforo,  far  rcmovod  from  nny  idea  that  ho  had  dono 
^""-r"—'  mif^'lit  for  whidi  Tloavon  should  lay  up  any  reward. 
Ho  retiirna      Ho  wus  iiot  oveu  tempted  to  remain  in  France,  where  ho 
NewHwMiuh  received  applause,  and  ho  in  fact  remained  only  till  tho 
there,     departure  of  tho  firHt  vessels  that  sailed  for  Quebec.      Ho 
found  tho  affairs  of  New  Franco  in  a  pitiful  state.     HiH 
beloved  Hurons  were  everywhere  a  prey  to  the  Ii'oquois, 
and  for  somo   time  no  tidings  from  their  country  had 
reached  Quebec,  unless  to  announce  the  defeat  of  a  party 
or  tho  destruction  of  a  town.     The  number  of  Christians, 
nevertheless,   increased  daily,   and    their  faith  gatlured 
strength  in  these  very  adversities  which  had  so  long  re- 
tarded their  conversion. 

These  times  of  storm  and  persecution  have  been  in  all 
infant  churches  seasons  of  plenty  in  all  heavenly  benedic- 
tion, and  have  never  failed  to  bo  fruitful  in  good  Christians. 
Canada,  to  tho  close  of  the  last  century,  was  a  very  strik- 
ing proof  this  truth,  and  wo  have  seen  mpny  illustrious 
witnesses.  I  enjoyed  oven  the  happiness  of  living  with 
some  of  those  who  were  actors  on  that  bloody  stage,  and 
who  could,  like  Saint  Paul,  show  on  theii*  bodies  the  marks 
of  Christ.  But  not  only  were  tho  apostles  of  New  France 
not  unworthy  of  being  compared  with  the  founders  of  the 
noblest  chm'ches,  but  somo  of  their  neophytes  also  re- 
called the  fairest  days  of  the  Primitive  Church ;  and  I 
should  deem  myself  wanting  the  fidehty  of  history  were  I, 
in  deference  to  what  is  called  tho  taste  of  our  age,  to  pass 
over  in  silence  tho  more  wonderful  facts  of  this  kind  that 
I  find  in  tho  annals  of  Canada,  and  more  capable  of  glorify- 
ing him  who,  from  tho  heart  of  barbarism,  could  raise  up 
true  children  to  Abraham.' 

At  the  very  time  that  God  seemed  to  have  abandoned 
the  Hurons  to  the  fire  and  steel  of  the  Iroquois,  it  was  im- 
possible to  enter  a  town  without  meeting  some  of  those 


'  Relation  de  la  Nouvello  France, 
1647,  p.  30. 
'  Creuxius,  Ilistoria  Canadensis,  p. 


409  ;  Lettru  de  M.  Marie  dc  I'lncar- 
nation,  il  la  Siiperieuro  dus  Ursu- 
lines,  Sept.  29,  1(143. 


IIIMTOIIY   OF  NEW    FHANCK. 


163 


clioson  houIh  whom  f^raco  raiHcs  nlinvo  man,  to  f  otifoniul     1644, 
thoso  whoso  passions  h)wor  tlicm  hciioatli    tho  ^,'rii(h'  of  ^— -,— -^ 
beasts.     Tho  apostolical  spirit  aiiiiuaU'd  nuiii}-;  tlioro  wck!  Korv.imml 
throo  who  midortook  to  pn-ach  tho  gospel  to  tho  Nontor  the  iiuVuiih. 
natiou,'  wluTo  tho  niissioiiai-ios,  on  account  of  thcii-  small 
mimbor,  could  not  make  a  long  stay,  and  the  Lord  blessed, 
tlu'ir  zeal  bcyimd  tliuir  hop(  s.     To  the  lively  and  pathetio 
e'uHpienco  natural  to  these  people,  thoy  added  the  force  of 
cxam])lo,  alwr^ys  more  persuasivo  than  tho  most  eloquent 
words. 

Among  iicso  now  apostles  was  one,  Joseph  Taondo- 
choren,  who  had  been  taken  with  Father  Jogues,  ami  had 
been  indeed  tho  first  to  bear  to  Quebec  tidings  of  the  holy 
mi.<sionary.'  One  day  a  number  r,f  heathens,  who  were  in 
company  with  him,  expressed  great  surprise  at  his  ii'ver 
allowing  a  single  word  to  escape  him  evincing  the  sligliti-st 
resentment  against  the  Iroquois  who  had  treated  him  so 
cruelly.  "  It  is,"  he  re[)lied,  "  because  God  (hfJuses  over 
sufferings  endured  for  his  sake  joys  so  pure  and  consola- 
tions SI'  striking,  that  no  animosity  can  be  felt  against 
those  who  liave  been  tho  instruments."  He  then  spoke  so 
forcibly  on  the  excellence  of  the  Christian  religion,  and  the 
miraculous  manner  in  which  it  changes  the  heart  of  man, 
that  most  were  moved  and  many  convinced  of  the  necessity 
of  embracing  it." 

The  island  of  Montreal  was  gradually  filling  up  with 
settlors,  and  the  piety  of  these  new  colonists  gradually 
prepared  the  Indians  who  had  intercouiso  with  them  to 
submit  to  the  yoke  of  tho  Faith.  Their  mt)st  frecpicnt 
intercourse  was  with  the  Algonquins,  living  on  an  island 
formed  1  >y  the  Ottawa ;  but  their  chief '  seemed  imbued 


'  Relation  de  la  NouvpU.!  Frnucc,  '  Relation  de  la  Nouvelle  France, 

104-t,  \i\<.  !)(i,  07.     They  wcn^  Biirna-  1041,  p.  Hi. 

liy  OtsiiiDnannhout,  Stephen  Totiri,  ■<  Tess-elias,  called  l)y  the  French 

and  his  brother.  ]e  Borgue  de  lisle  ;  Relation  d(;  la 

'  Kelution  de  la  Nouvello  P'rance,  Nouvelle  France,  l(i4:i,  p.  54  ;  Creux- 

1044,  p.  81.  iuH,  Ilistoria  Canadensis,  p.  373. 


IMAGE  EVALUATION 
TEST  TARGET  (MT-3) 


4p 


:a 


1.0 


I.I 


m  m 


■  40 


IL25  II  1.4 


■  2.0 

li 

1.6 


71 


0% 


^>. 


Photographic 
Sciences 
ion 


23  WIST  MAIN  STREET 

WEBSTER,  N.Y.  14500 

(716)  S73-4S03 


V 


1^ 


\\ 


164 


mSTOUY  OF  NRW  FRANCE. 


1644. 


coiivcrftinti 

of  MIL    Al- 

^oiii|iiiii. 


with  nn  unconqnorablo  avoision  to  Cliristinuity,  niid  ally 
as  he  was,  or  sought  to  be  doomed,  of  tho  Froiu-h,  the 
MirnoiilniiR  inissioiuirios  found  in  him  a  more  difticult  anta<,'onist  Hum 
the  lro(nu)is  themselves.  It  was  not  that  he  was  more 
wrajniod  uj^  in  his  superstitious  praetioes,  hut  he  was 
a  man  violent  to  feroeity,  extremely'  haughty,  and  ill- 
disposed. 

God  seems  at  times  to  delight  in  triumphing  over  some 
of  these  intractable  hearts  and  i)erverso  souls,  whose  con- 
quest all  nnist  admit  to  bo  sol(>ly  tho  woik  of  His  all- 
powerful  mercy.  Such  wis,  to  all  ai)pearance,  the  conver- 
sion of  tho  .Vlgonquin  chief.  Every  thing  was  supernatural 
in  tho  manner  in  which  tho  unexpected  change  was 
wrought.  Tliis  savage  had  a  nephew,'  who  took  it  into 
his  head  to  settle  on  tjio  island  of  Montreal,  ]^[r.  do 
Maisouneuvo,  to  whom  he  went,  neglected  no  argument  to 
confirm  his  intention  ;  and  as  his  main  ol)ject  was  to  gain 
him  to  Christ,  ho  begged  Fr.ther  Yimond  and  Father 
Poncet,  who  w(>re  hapjiily  then  with  him,  to  instruct  tho 
Alg(mfiuiu  in  our  mysteries. 

The}'  joyfully  consented,  and  found  in  this  man  and  in 
his  wife  so  much  mildness  and  docility,  that,  after  tho 
ordinary  trials  to  test  tlKsir  constancy,  they  baptized  thorn 
both.  These  two  converts  had  promised  to  settle  on  tho 
island,  and  they  kept  their  word.  They  did  more.  Tho 
gi'aco  of  tho  sacrament  had  enkindled  in  them  a  zeal  for 
the  salvation  of  souls — a  Z(>al  soon  blessi'd  with  finiit  ;  but 
the  conversion  most  yoarn«>d  for  was  that  of  their  uncle. 
Although  thoy  saw  no  human  probability  of  success,  they 
nevertheless  undertook  it,  and  were  preparing  to  visit  hun 
in  his  village,  when  they  learned  that  lie  had  started  foi" 
tho  winter  hunt.  This  mischanc!0  grieved  them,  but  they 
soon  saw  that  Divine  Providence  has  modes  of  action  un- 
known to  men  ;  and  if  tlioy  had  not  the  honor  of  coutrib- 


'  Joseph  t-'mBsasikSi'ie :  Rrlntum  la  ('"limio  Krnnrnisi',  i.,  p.  4flO.  His 
de  In  N.  V..  U\\'\.  p.  5-)  ;  Crcuxius,  tribe  wim  the  KicliiHipiriiii,  ralli-d  by 
Hihi.Ciinod,  p  ;)*;!;  Faillon,  Hist.de    the  IliironK  IbbimiiaiTonon. 


HISTORY   OF   NEW    FRANCE. 


165 


uting  to  a  conversion  so  (Icsinnl,  except  pprhnpn  by  wrost-     1644. 
inj,'  it  from  H('av(>u  hy  tluur  prayers,  tlic  manner  in  wliieli 
it  was  elV(>ete<l  f^'ave  tlieiii  no  less  t'onaolutiou,  and  stienf,4li- 
eneil  tlieir  faith. 

One  day,  wlieu  tlie  husband  was  conversing,'  witli  Fatlier 
Viniond  on  the  matter,  tliey  were  both  extremely  sui'i)rised 
to  see  the  cliief  enter  the  room  where  tliey  were  ;  but 
their  astonishment  iiiereastnl  all  the  more  when,  in  reply- 
to  a  tpiestion  as  to  the  luotivo  of  his  eominj,',  he  stated 
that  he  was  there  to  become  a  Christian.  Father  Vimond 
asked  the  nxjtive  for  so  sudden  a  resolution,  at  variance 
with  all  his  previously  cxpres.sed  .sentiments.  Kj  declared 
that  it  was  impossible  for  him  to  tell  it ;  that,  as  he  was 
proceeding  from  Fort  llichelieu  to  Three  llivers,  a  sudden 
change  took  place  in  his  mind,  v.liich  he  did  not  under- 
stand ;  and  that,  by  a  movement  which  ho  could  not 
control,  he  had  taken  his  way  back  to  Montrinil,  to  be 
instructed  in  the  doctrine  of  the  Christians.  Ho  added 
that  his  wife  was  in  the  same  disposition  as  himself. 
Then  addressing  Father  Vimond  :  "  Father,"  said  he,  "  I 
ftni  not  well  :  nevertheless,  if  you  refuse  me  this  favor 
which  I  ask,  I  am  resolved  to  go  to  the  Hurons,  whore  I 
hope  they  will  grant  it.'" 

His  nephew  listened  to  all  this  like  a  man  who  knows 
not  whether  he  dn-ams  or  is  awake  ;  then,  unablt;  to  con- 
tain the  joy  that  transported  him,  he  ran  to  Mr.  d(!  Alai- 
sonneuve  to  inform  him  what  he  had  seen  and  heard.  The 
governor  wished  to  examine  in  person  so  improbable  a 
fact  ;  and  finding  it  real,  embraced  the  conveit,  assured 
him  of  his  friendship,  and  told  him  that  he  would  luider- 
tako  to  induce  the  superior-general  to  gi-atify  his  desire. 
Father  Vinnrnd  was  not  less  eager  to  see  the  accomi)lish- 
meut  of  a  work  the  results  of  which  could  not  fail  to  be  so 
advantageous  to  religion  ;  but  the  aflair  was  not  one  to  be 


'  Relation  do  la  NouvoUe  I'rnnrp,    nadonsis,  p.  ;573  ;  Faillon,  riistoircde 
low,  p.  55;  Cri'uxius,  lliutoria  C"a-    In  f'olouii-  Fnun.niw,  i.,  p.  4iil. 


|i 


^ 


166 


HISTORY  OF  NEW  FnANCB. 


1644.     treated  prccipitntoly.     Moreover,  uuinbcrs  of  other  In- 
^""^r^-^  diiiiis  came  iu  daily  for  instnietion  ;  and  two  prieHts,  who 
had  also  other  duties  to  fulfil,  were  uuoqual  to  f'j  great 
a  task. 

This  last  difficnlty,  however,  was  soon  raised.  All, 
iiichidiug  the  governor  himself,  aided  the  missionaries  in 
iustnictiug  the  catechumens — women  taking  charge  of 
those  of  their  own  sex;  and  as  it  was  perceived  that 
grace  acted  even  more  efficaciously  within  than  the  most 
touching  exhortation  could  Avithout,  at  the  end  of  eight 
days'  assiduous  labor  all  were  deemed  in  a  condition  to 
receive  bajitism.  Mr.  de  Maisonneuve  was  god-father  to 
the  Chief  of  the  Isle,  and  Madame  de  la  Peltrie  god- 
mother— a  sally  of  somewhat  restless  zeal  (soon,  however, 
to  resume  its  even  tenor)  having  brought  her  to  Mon- 
treal.' 
Forvor  of  Father  Vimond  never  had  reason  to  repent  his  facility  in 
quill  im"-  receiving  these  Inilians  into  the  fold  committed  to  his  vigi- 
*'*""'■  lance.  Time  did  not  relax  their  fervor.  The  whole  was  done 
by  a  kind  of  inspiration,  and  all  recognized  visibly  what  is 
one  of  the  most  important  points  of  the  science  peculiar 
to  apostolic  men — that  if  the  Author  of  Nature  sometimes 
goes  beyond  the  laws  which  he  himself  has  established  in 
the  ordinary  course  of  events,  there  are  also  occasions 
where  his  ministers  should  not  confine  themselves  too 
scnipulonsly  to  the  rules  of  measured  prudence. 

The  whole  Algonquin  nation  felt  the  clTcct  of  the  events 
just  occurred  at  Montreal,  and  gradually  the  number  of 
Christians  there  exceeded  that  of  the  heathen.  Three 
Bivers*  and  Tadoussac'  had  also  then-  Indian  missionaries. 


'  T<'88«chat — callml.in  Huron,  On- 
dpeson,  nnd  by  tlip  Frencli,  lo  Borgno 
de  I'IhIo  (Kt'l.,  1040,  p.  7)— was  bap- 
tizcKl  Miircb  9,  1043  :  Kclation  di-  la 
Nouvcllc  France,  1043,  p.  54  ,  Creux- 
iUB,  Uifttoria  Cnnadi'iiHig,  p.  370 ; 
FailUin,  Ilintiiire  de  la  Colonle  Fran- 
i^Be,  i.,  p.  461.    The  iHiand  wbicli 


he  inhabited  is  the  present  lie  des 
Allumetteg.  It  v/aa  here  that  Father 
Jen>nin  I.aleniant  was  aHsailed.  8ee 
ante,  p.  111. 

'  Helation  do  la  Nouvello  France, 
1043.  p.  4.5. 

■'  Ut^lation  do  la  Nouvello  France, 
1043,  p.  32  ;  1644,  p.  55. 


HISTORY  OF  NEW  FRANCE. 

Nnopliytes  woro  seen  undertaking  prolonged  journeys,  in 
tho  most  inclement  season,  solely  with  the  view  to  an- 
nounce Christ  to  trihes  far  remote  ;  and  those  who  could 
not  leave  their  towns  lor  so  long  a  period  did  not  allow 
their  zeal  to  remain  inactive.  In  public  and  private  meet- 
ings they  incessantly  inculcated  obedience  to  their  pastors 
and  submission  to  tho  sacred  laws  of  the  Church.  Those 
who  had  any  authority  over  tho  multitude  could  not 
bring  themselves  to  allow  any  fault  to  pass  unpunished, 
little  as  it  might  have  attracted  notice  or  given  scandal, 
and  it  was  often  somewhat  difficult  to  moderate  their 
severity  in  the  matter. 

At  Sylleri  esp'jcially  men  admired  what  the  first-fruits 
of  grace  in  a  new-formed  Christian  fold  could  effect.' 
This  town  was  not  exposed,  as  it  was  some  time  after,  to 
the  attacks  of  the  Iroquois ;  but  however  httle  its  inhab- 
itants went  from  it,  they  ran  tho  risk  of  being  earned  off, 
and  this  had  already  happened  to  several.  Deprived  thus 
of  all  recourse  to  tho  chase,  on  which  these  tribes  cannot 
avoid  relying,  they  were  often  reduced  to  want  of  the 
actual  necessaries  of  life.  The  French  did  all  in  their 
power  to  reli(!ve  their  more  pressing  wants ;  but  being 
themselves  generally  poor,  their  charity  was  a  feeble  re- 
source for  so  many  famishing  creatures.  Besides  the 
little  ^aste  and  skill  ever  shown  by  Algonquin  tribes  for 
the  cultivation  of  the  earth,  these  Christians,  often  com- 
pelled to  shut  themselves  up  in  tho  palisades  of  their 
towns  to  C8cai)e  the  Iroquois  war-parties  that  were  in  the 
field,  were  unable  either  to  till  their  fields  in  safety  or  to 
count  on  reaping  tho  little  they  had  sowed. 

This  wretched  state,  to  which  there  was  no  apparent 
remedy,  did  not,  however,  diminish  tho  confidence  of  these 
fervent  proselytes  in  Divmc  Providence.  Ill-disposed 
men  in  vain  used  every  stratagem  to  withdraw  them  from 
the  service  of  a  God  who,  they  said,  forsook  them,  and  let 


167 


1644. 


'  Relation  do  la  Nouvello  France,  1643,  pji.  8,  12  ;  1044,  p.  4, 


I 


168 


IIISTOKY  (iK  NKW   FItANCE. 


1644. 


t 


raliiintiies 
invi'Titcil  ill 

Franco 

nffiiiij.tt   tlio 

Ji'.HiiitA  of 

Cuuudn. 


Their  jnsti- 
flcution. 


tln'ir  cncniits  and  his  own  trinni))]i.  Not  only  was  their 
faith  inoof  to  :i  ttMiiptation  which  often  oveironies  thoKo 
born  and  hron},'ht  np  in  tlie  Itosoni  of  tlir  t'huirli,  hut  it 
did  not  even  eool  tlieir  /.e.-d,  and  their  niiinher.s  daily 
inoreased.  Proselytes  eaiiie  to  Syil.ri  from  the  far  North, 
and  it  was  not  niiusual  to  see  the  very  men  entering  tho 
fold  who  had  used  the  greatest  exertions  to  seatter  it. 

Sueh  was  tht;  situation  of  Christianity  in  New  Franoo, 
wheu  news  eanie  that  astounded  evi'ry  man  of  lienor  iu 
the  coh)uy.  Who,  in  fact,  could  imagine  that  mission- 
aries, whoso  sanctity,  labors,  and  disinterestedness  wero 
admired  by  all,  coulil  all  at  once  see  themselves  under  the 
necessity  of  making  statemeids  to  justify  their  ccmduct, 
and  persuade  tlu;  public  that  it  was  not  interests  of  trado 
that  kt'pt  them  in  the  midst  of  barbarism,  exposed  to  all 
tho  dangers  tliat  we  have  witiu-ssed?  Yet  this  was 
asserted  in  Europe ;  and  destitute  of  all  ])robability  as 
these  calumnies  were,  they  were  spread  with  tho  greater 
assuranet>,  as  many  gave  them  eredenco. 

Tho  Company  of  Ouo  Hundred  Associates  was  no  less 
amazed  at  these  clamors  than  tho  inhabitants  of  New 
France,  who  saw  the  falsehood  with  their  very  lyes.  As 
tho  Company  was  most  deeply  interested  in  i)reventing 
tho  trado  imputed  to  the  Jesuits,  and  bettor  able  to  know 
the  facts  by  means  of  the  agents  which  it  maintaint!d  in 
Canada,  it  deemed  itself  boiuid  in  honor  to  defend  tho 
accused,  and  did  so  by  an  authentic  declaration,  which  is 
in  these  words  : 

"  Tho  Directors  and  Associates  in  the  Company  of  New 
France,  called  Canadii,  having  heard  that  some  persons 
are  persuaded,  and  spread  the  report,  that  the  Society  of 
the  Jesuit  Fathers  has  a  share  ui  the  embarkation,  returns, 
and  trade  carried  on  with  that  country — seeking  by  this 
means  to  lower  and  destroy  the  I'steem  and  value  of  the 
grt'at  labors  which  tiiose  missionarii's  undertake  in  said 
ccmutry,  with  ineredil)le  pain  and  hardshi]),  at  the  peril  of 
their  life,  for  the  service  and  glory  of  God,  iu  converting 


mSTOllV  OK  Ni;W    I'KANti:. 


1G9 


the  Tniliaiis  to  tho  faith  of  Cliiistiiinity  iviid  tho  Ronmn      1644. 

Catholic  Apostolic  iclif^ion,  tii  which  they  have  made;  and <— 

daily  make  f<reat  ].rot,qcHs- of  which  the  said  Coiiii)aiiy  in 
particularly  iiiforiiu>d,  Imvo  doomed  thomsolvoiq  hound  liy 
tho  ol.li^-ation  of  ("hristian  charity  to  disalniso  those  who 
entiMtain  this  Ipclief  by  tli(«  J)eclarati<m  and  (Vrtitieato, 
which  they  make  l.y  these  presents,  that  the  said  Jesuit 
TathorH  aro  not  associates  in  tho  said  Couipany  of  New 
France,  either  directly  or  indirectly,  and  liave  uo  interest 
in  tho  sales  of  goods  mad(«  there.  In  testimony  whereof, 
tho  present  Declaration  has  lieen  signed  liy  the  said 
Directors  and  Associates,  iind  sealed  with  tho  seal  of  suid 
Company,  the  first  day  of  Decendjor,  1G4:{. 

"  Di:  LA  FkKTK,  Abl).'  (!.■  la  Jfngdoleine. 
MaIJOONKT.  VKIiUIKll. 

13ki!ui  vi;ii.  Fleuuuu. 

lloilINXVU.  Caset. 

Sadouet.  BoritGCET. 

liEiMuyER.  Clahentin. 

"Compared  with  the  original  Ijy  a  Councillor,  Secre- 
tary to  tho  King,  House,  and  Crown  of  France. 

"  Jolly.'" 
This  document  had  its  ofToct  with  these  who  had  no 
need  of  being  undeceived  ;  and  it  was  not  without  some 
ijidignation  on  their  part  that  they,  some  time  after, 
beheld  the  Jesuits  of  Canada,  so  revered  iu  Old  and  X(!W 
Fri'.nce,  play,  in  the  "  I'n^vincial  Letters,"  the  part  of 
traders  :'  but  their  justification  was  tho  news  received  in 
the  fnllowing  years,  telling  that,  while  they  w(!re  thus 
blackened    in   their   own   countiy,   all  without  exception 

'  Itclution  (lu  Iu  Nouvell..  Pmw,;  whs    tlnis    ingoniniisly    made   into 

^''f'''I''^2.  triul.'.     On  ihis  iKMiit"  «•.•  Lij.iino 

■•'  l-Htcr  V.      JJi'iiv.T skins,   in  Vu-  Itdatinn    dc    la    Nouv.ll.-    l''iuMfi' 

nada  and  in  N.w  Nnlirrland,  w.r.^  l(;;ii!,   ,,.    I7;i.      Rflutinns    In.'ditrs! 

regard. 'd  as  ni.w\  :  just  as,  in  Vir-  1072-!t,   ii.,   ;!ll.      1),.   hi    t'otlicrio! 

gi'iia,  tolMino,  its  siapl.',  was  a  rw-  Histoirn    (\v    I'Ani.'riiiue   Sopteutri- 

opiizcd  vaiuf.     Till'  nK-cipt  by  the  onale, i., 207. 
luibsiouaries  of  uiuouiits  in  beavi-r 


170 


HISTOUY   OF  NF.W   FRAJiCE. 


1644. 


ii 


Fnthor 
Iir«^!lltlll 

bllMKclt'tO 

(frtut 
dungvr. 


woro  ('(^ifroutiii}^,  witli  a  conrftgo  wortliy  of  their  vocation, 
tlu'  stiiki!  aiul  all  tlio  lionoiH  of  captivity  ;  that  many  had 
uhoady  pfiishud  b;'neath  tho  tiro  and  Hti'ul  of  tlu-  Jro- 
quois ;  that  otla-iH  witc  languiHliing  in  fottcas  ;  ami  that 
tho  places  of  thoHO  who  had  fallen  victiius  to  their  zoal 
wero  iiunu'diat«'ly  tilled  up  by  their  lirethri'n,  whom  dosiro 
of  a  Himilar  lot  had  made  jealous  of  their  suflerings.  Hero 
is  tho  first  proof. 

For  three  whole  years  tho  Huron  missionaries  had 
received  uo  supplies  from  Quebec,  so  that  their  habits 
wore  falling  to  pieces  ;  and  win(»  having  failed  for  INIass, 
they  wero  obliged  to  gather  wild  grapes  in  tho  woods  to 
servo  their  need,  and  for  want  of  flour,  wero  on  tho  point 
of  being  obliged  to  forego  the  celebration  of  the  holy  mys- 
teries. Their  extremity  was  not  unknown  at  (^uebei',  but 
it  was  not  easy  to  remedy  it.  At  last  some  Hurons,  who 
Imd  oxi)osed  themselvts  in  winter  to  the  perils  of  a  jour- 
ney on  tho  ico  to  Qui'boc,  woro  loaded,  on  their  return, 
with  ail  that  the  missionaries  needed.'  They  earnestly 
desinid  to  have  a  Jesuit  to  accomj)any  them — the  more 
especially  as,  besides  the  fact  that  Father  Joguos  had  not 
vet  retunied  from  Franco,  Father  Davost'  was  past  all 
es  rtiou  and  died  soon  after;  but  tho  superior-general  did 
not  daro  to  propose  to  any  ouo  a  mission  of  which  he  saw 
all  the  danger. 

Father  Francis  Joseph  Bressani,  a  Roman  Jesuit,  to 
whom  all  that  befell  him  in  America  had  boon  foretold 
in  France,  and  whoso  coinage  had  only  derived  fresh 
strength  from  tho  prediction,  no  sotmer  imdorstood  tho 
difficulty  in  which  his  superior  stood  than  ho  oflfered  to 
attend  tho  convoy,  and  his  offer  was  accejjted.  Ho  em- 
barked in  tho  latter  part  of  April,  10-44,'  with  a  young 


'  Rclnticm  de  la  Nouvelle  Franco,  to  France  :  C'arnyon,  IVwiimcnts  Tn- 

1044,  )).  ;tl).  .'iliUi,  xiv.,  p.  112;    Hilation  de  la 

'  Fatlicr  Anibrow'  Davngt  arrived  Nouvelle  Fmnco,  l({4:t.  p.  HO. 

in  Cuiindii  in  Miiy,  UV.i'.i,  anil  (lied  ■' April  127,  1014:  HrcHHinii,  Brcvo 

at  Hca  in  1043,  un  hin  pausnge  buck  Relatiune,   p.  '6i  (see  ante,   vol.   i., 


niHTORY  OP  NEW  FRANCE. 


171 


rreiu-liniiiii  and  hIx  HinoiiH,  two  uf  whom  liml  r(H*(«iillv  ''*'^" 
f.sfa|M'il  from  tln'  liaiids  of  tlin  Iro(|uoiH.  Tlitir  journey, 
as  far  as  Tlirt'c  Hivtis,  was  suiTcssfiil  cnon^li ;  but  au 
ai-ciiiciit,  which  dchiytd  tlit-iii  a  wliolc  ihiy  at  tlio  ciitranco 
of  Lake  St.  Pirrrf,  Ihn-w  tlicm  into  the  Inmds  of  their 
enemies.  The  missionary'rt  canno  waH  wrecked  ;  liie  next 
ni),'ht  thero  was  u  lieavy  fall  of  snow,  (h-layiu},'  the  ])arty 
still  more;  and  some  of  tln-ni,  tiring'  iminiideiitly  at  wild- 
geese,'  tliselused  their  preseneo  to  an  l»o(juois  [tarty  not 
far  olV,  who  at  ouce  formed  an  andmseade. 

The  next  day'  Father  13ressani,  do\ddin^  u  point,  sud-  llo  Utnkon 
denly  found  himself  in  the  midst  of  three  hostile  canoes.  '  quoia. 
The  disadvantaj,'e  Iniinf,'  too  K'^'^d,  no  combat  ensued.  Tho 
two  other  Huron  cannon,  which  followed,  seeing  the  miH- 
bionary  taken,  plied  thoir  paddles  to  e8cai)e,  but  two  Iro- 
quois canoes,  stdl  better  maimed,  awaited  them  behind 
another  point,  and  stopjied  them.  The  Christians,  althouj^h 
only  two  in  each  canoe,  and  much  encumbered  with  bag- 
gage, resolved  to  defend  themselves ;  one  of  tho  bravest 
aimed  at  an  Iroquois,  but  was  anticipated  by  another,  who 
shot  him  (K-ad  in  his  canoe.  No  more  was  needed  tomako 
his  comrade  and  those  in  the  other  canoe  throw  down  their 
arms.     They  were  instantly  taken  and  bound.* 

The  Iro([nois  then  proceeded  to  divide  their  booty ;  for 
binci'  tlu'V  had  bt'gun  to  nnike  war  on  the  French,  or  rather 
Binco  they  had  sei-n  how  the  French  acted  on  such  occa- 
bious,  they  were  uo  longer  content,  as  of  old,  with  the  glory 


p.  W) ;  Relation  Abrogro  do 
(juol(|Ui'8  MisKioiiH  (It's  IVrrs  dc  In 
('(iiiiimpiicdu  Ji'HUMtlaiiH  la  NduvcIIu 
KiaiiiT,  liy  I'utlicr  I'lMx  Murtiii,  S.I., 
MmitmJ,  ISoU',  j)|i.  i;i— 1.5  ;  Relation 
di-  la  Nouvollc  Krancc,  Kill.  )>.  :i!l. 
For  tt  lift"  1)1'  l'"ullit'r  HrcsHnni,  m:e 
the  French  truuHlutiou  of  liia  Hri'Vc 
Rfliitiouo. 

'  Tliey  flrtnl  ot  an  cnfjli',  snys 
Brestioni,  Hrcvc  lU'liitione.  |i.  '.Vi. 

'  Next   (lay    but    ono :    HrctiHttnl, 


BroVd  Relatifino,  p.  33.     He  makes 

the  pliic<'  of  nviiturr  twenty -two  or 
twenty-fouriniles  from  Three  Hivere, 
iukI  seven  or  eight  from  Fort  Rieho- 
lieii. 

■'  Tho  attacking''  |Jiirty  uiiinlKTed 
iwc  iityueven  :  Hresisiini,  p.  ;ii  ;  Mar- 
tin's cilitioM,  p.  1 1  7.  The  nrcount  in 
the  Relation  de  la  Noiivelle  Franco, 
11(44  (p.  -11),  (liffrH  slitrlitly.  The 
Huron  killed  was  U(.'rtrand  Sotrios- 
kon. 


172 


HISTORY  OF  NEW  FIIANCE. 


'"44>  of  victory,  but  tlio  hope  of  plumlcM-  had  full  iih  inuoli  to  do 
with  tlii'ir  wiir-piirtii's  iih  tho  di'siro  of  injuring  tlwir 
oiiomit'H.  Tlu-y  ln'pm,  iiion'ovcr,  to  uiuh-rMtaiid  tlnir  tlf- 
pontloiu'o  ou  tlu'ir  Dutcli  nci^'hhorH,  aiv\  the  l>ooty  swept 
from  their  oiiemieH  ouuhled  them  to  obtain  from  New 
Nethcrlaiid  miuiitiouH  needed  to  currv  on  the  war. 
His  miffer.  The  l>o(<ty  divided,  these  savages  cut  up  the  body  of  tho 
Ills' on|!iiv-'  fallen  Huron,  cooked  and  ate  it.  Tlu'y  then  exultingly 
'  ^'  took  up  their  march  homeward,  loading  ofl'  their  prisonerH, 
whom  thoy  almost  allowed  to  perish  on  the  way,  yet  forct^l 
to  paddle  without  respit*'.  As  they  approached  tli(>ir 
journey's  end  they  met  a  fishing-party,  to  whom  they 
abandoned  the  jiriHoners  for  a  lime ;  these  received  tho 
captives  with  a  severe  bastinado.  Tho  Hurons  escaped 
with  that ;  but  tho  missionary  had  his  left  hand  cloven 
opeu  between  the  third  and  little  finger.'  As  socm  as  ho 
reached  tho  tlrst  village  of  tlic  Mohawk  canton'  he  was 
subjected  to  horrible  treatment,  till  he  finally  fill,  witlumt 
consciousness  or  motion.  To  restore  him,  the}'  cut  ofT  his 
left  thumb  and  two  fingers  of  his  right  hand.' 

A  storm,  which  came  up,  dispersed  the  crowd,  and  the 
missionarj'  was  left  alone,  stretched  ou  a  kind  of  scaffold, 
unable  to  rise  and  rapidly  losing  blood.  In  tho  evening  ho 
•was  taken  to  a  cabin,  where  his  nails  were  burnt  and  hi.s 
feet  distorted.  Here,  given  up  without  reserve  to  tho 
fierce  and  malignant  youth,  he  was  loaded  with  outrages 
and  treat«'d  with  the  utmost  barbarity'.  He  was  there  left, 
after  dung  had  been  forced  into  his  mouth.  Tho  next  day 
they  began  again,  and  surpassed  i^ven  what  they  had  in- 
flicted ou  him  the  night  bofoi'o.  They  carried  inhumanity 
so  far  as  to  lay  food  for  their  dogs  on  his  naked  body,  that 


'  Tliis  fishing  jinrty  of  four  Iiun-  tioni-,  p.  !1T  ;    Martin's  i-tlltion,  ppi 

dretl  wtis  on  tilt' riijHT  Iludtion.    Ho  120-3;     Kclntion    do    la    Noarelle 

was  torturod  lioro  for  si'Vcrul  days,  Francr,  1044,  jip.  43,  44. 

BO  that  hi'  writi's,  "  1  would  not  liuvo  '  May  :i() :   Urossaui,  Brove  Rt'la. 

bolicvcd  tliat    man   could   linvo   so  tione,  p.  38. 

hard  a  lifu :"  Uri'iSBani,  Breve  Rcla-  "  lb. 


IIIHT(HJY  OF  NKW   FUANCR. 


17:j 


thoHO  cvcr-fiiniishiiiR  animiiln  might  tour  him,  nH  they  did 
in  Ht'v«'iiil  jiliucs.' 

At  the  fiid  of  fi  few  days — hiH  body  notlung  morn  thim 
ono  wound,  Hwarming  in  ovcry  part  witli  WDrms-hc  lu)- 
canu)  HO  loathmiino  that  nohody  could  endure  the  Htoneli, 
Ho  sjill'm-d  cxcnifiatiiig  pain,  cMiu'ciully  in  one  le<;,  whero 
an  apoMtiiuine  ulcer  had  formed,  that  deprived  him  of  even 
a  moment's  Hleep.  Providence  made  the  cruelty  of  Iuh 
torturers  remedy  this  evil ;  for  one  of  the  savages,  wishing 
to  intlict  a  new  wound,  struck  his  knife  into  the  tumor 
and  laid  it  open.  Tlw  last  act  of  the  tragedy  wiis  now 
ah)ne  h-ft,  and  all  seemed  to  prepare  for  it.  This  thought 
alono  gavo  tho  prisoner  a  shock  which  somotimca  oven 
made  him  iusensibh*  to  his  sufferings.' 

Humiliated  to  find  himself  still  so  weak,  he  had  rooonrso 
to  prayer,  and  implored  tho  Almighty  to  '/e  his  strength 
and  support ;  i's])ecially  not  to  permit  him  to  dishonor,  by 
cowardi(u^.  Ids  religion  and  his  august  ministry,  which  ho 
had  come  so  far  to  exorcise.  At  this  moment  he  perceived 
old  men  coming  from  tho  council  held  to  decide  his  fate, 
and  soon  afterword  was  bnuight  to  him  that  the  resolution 
•was  taken  not  lo  put  him  to  death.  This  was  tho  last 
thing  that  he  anticipated,  and  all  shared  his  astonishment, 
in  view  of  tho  fearful  state  to  whidi  he  had  boon  reduciil. 
The  very  men  who  took  part  in  tho  council  could  not  ex- 
j)laiu  why  they  had  taken  tho  stop." 

The  holy  man  roiurned  thanks  to  Him  who  moulds 
hearts  as  pleases  him,  ami  humbled  himself  in  His  sight, 
avowing  his  unworthiuess  of  tho  grace  of  martyrdom.  Ho 
was  given  to  a  matron,  who  treated  him  very  humanely ; 
but  tho  stench  exhaled  by  his  body  rendered  him  insup- 


1644. 


1645. 

Ill'  i<  ili'llv- 

I'l'i'il  iiiid 

rcni'hus 

Fruuco. 


'  BrcHsnni,  Brcvd  Holiitionc,  p.  liO  ;  Martin's  edition,  p.   Vil.    The  d«- 

Mortin's  cditinn,  p.  12-1  ;  liclntionde  cision  was  nindc  June  19  (says  tlio 

la  Niiiivclli'  Frnncc,  l(i44,  p.  44.        '  Hdntion    do    la    Nouvcllc    l''rnnco, 

'  Hrc-Hiinni,  Uri'vc  Hclntidne,  p.  oO  ;  lfi44,  p.  44),  nnd  V>y  an  nnstnibly  of 

Martin'8  edit i(in.  1).  105.  two   thoiifiand  :   ("rciixius,   Historia 

•  Brustiuni,  Brovo  Uulationo,  p.  44 ;  CanadenBiH,  p.  402. 


174 


IMSToltY    (»r   NKW   I'UANCH 


1645. 


■  t 


8uil  CMiiili- 

tioii  of  tlio 

coluny. 


I>iirtiiMt'  to  t1»»  v>]  olo  oal)iii,  nm\  tlicro  Ix'iii^  no  iiroHprt't, 
iiuilil  iti'il  as  Ii«<  wiiH,  tliiit  III*  wiiiilil  rvt'i-  Ix'  ill  11  cniiilitiiiii 
to  rciiilcr  liny  HMvicf.  Iiis  iiiiHtrcHs  Mi-nt  him  to  tlm  in'iirt'st 
1)iitcli  ]ioHt  to  H(>ll  iiiiii,  if  liny  one  tlicnt  woulil  l>uy  liini. 
Tlit«  Dutcli  rifoiviul  liitn  conliitlly,  HiitiHtit-d  the  IndiiinM, 
rind  f,'iivt'  liitn  innixr  nicdicid  ciur.'  Ah  mum  iih  hi'  wim 
iilili'  to  cnduii'  II  voya^»•  lie  wuh  iiiiM't'd  on  11  vchmcI,  wliicli 
liindfd  liiiii  in  Uoclu'lli'  towardH  tli<>  cIoho  of  Novi  iiiliii-.' 

To  n-turii  to  tin*  Iro'pKiis.  IJi-nt,  as  thcHo  Havaj,'»!H 
HtM-niftl  to  Im>,  on  pnnliinf^  tlir  war  to  (>xtrrniity  a,<j;ainHt  uh 
ftH  well  iiH  aj,'iiinHt  our  allifs,  llicy  nnvcitliclfss,  from  tinio 
to  time,  nliowrd  Honn>  inclination  to  poacc.  The  Cin'viilicr 
do  >[ontmaj,'ny  ardently  dcnirt'd  it,  hnth  bccauHo  ho  Haw 
liiniHclf  not  in  a  ('r)ndition  to  HUKtain  a  war,  and  buoauHo, 
ovrn  foiild  lie  do  ho  sncccsHtiilly,  lio  Imd  nothinj^  to  ^ain. 
Even  liad  it  ln'cn  possihh"  for  liini  to  ('onc(>id  his  wrakmsH 
from  his  cncmit'S,  he  ini(.;ht,  indi'od,  liavo  profited,  1)V  soino 
furtnnato  occasiun,  to  niiiko  terniM  not  inconsistent  with  tlic 
honor  of  Fiance;  but  this  resonreo  was  wiintiii},',  and  tho 
Iroi|Uois  Iioasted  aloud  that  they  would  soon  forco  tho 
I'Veiich  to  return  across  the  sea.' 

Tims  satisfieil  as  the  governor  was  that  tho  menus  ol 
disarming  these  savages  was  not  to  seek  tlieiii,  he  never 
saw  a  nioment  when  \w  could  assume  the  tone  which  alono 
cuuld  have  rctaiued  them  in  a  strict  neutrality  towards  ua. 


'  Br<'snftnl,  Urcvo  Holiitlono,  pp. 
42,  41!.  Tliis  work  oontuiun  tlirco 
IfttciM  of  tlic  iiutlior,  (Inti'd  July  15, 
MM,  Auc.'M,  niU.nnd  n  Ihirdfnim 
lalu  do  in..'.  Nov.  IB.  1(144.  Uo  wiw 
pivi'ii  up  to  tho  Dutch  Ain;.  10,  1(144. 
Kicft'H  ))a8s|xirt,  diitcd  Sept.  'JO,  is  in 
CrcuxiuH,  IliHti>riii  Canndi'imiti,  p. 
40:1.  Scr  ()'l'ullaj,'hnn'8  New  Ni-lh- 
iTliiud,  i..  pp.  ;t:!(i,  :i;i7.  Mother  Ju- 
chiTcuu  (llistoirc  dc  I'llotrl  nini) 
snyw  liP  wrut  to  Home  nuil  wan  pro- 
Rcntctl  to  I'opii  Innocent  X..  who  re- 
ci'ived  liiiM  BH  nn  njioHtle  and  kiHwed 
Lis  soars  (p.  ,'):!|.     For  Hn-HMnni,  sci; 


a  llfp  by  R.'V,  Follx  Martin,  8.  .1.,  In 
luH  French  edition  of  liretwitni  ; 
Kelation  AbroK<'o,  .Moiitreul,  ISW  ; 
alxo  Crunxlus,  IliHtoria  ('iinnth'nuig, 
pp.  .'til.'>-40:i ;  Hi'lution  do  lu  Nou- 
vollo  Fmnio,  1(144,  pp.  Al-Ti,  otc. ; 
Sliea,  Perils  of  thi>  Ocean  nnd  VVll- 
dernoKH,  pp.  1()4-:I0.  Father  Bres- 
sani,  a  native  of  Home,  entered  tlio 
S<H'iety  of  JesUH  at  tlie  iipe  of  tif- 
ti'on,  canii'  to  Canada  in  1(14'.',  and 
die<l  at  Horence,  Sept.  0.  l(iT'<>. 

'Nov.  1,"> :  Helation  du  la  Non- 
vello  Franco,  1(114,  ]>.  ■I.'i. 

'  Kelation  do  la  N.  F.,  Ki  14,  p.  105. 


HIHTOUY  <il"   NKW   FUANt'R. 


nr» 


iriiiir  ifiiii- 
orn  to  iiiiika 


1" 


Willi 


thi'  IrcH 
>|iiuia. 


Forcod,  tlicrcfon*,  to  Htt'jw  nnbocoiiiiiif^  IiIh  i-lmractor,  lio  1^)4?. 
CII(lcilvori(l,  ill  liin  illiiliililv  to  iln  (illii  iwiMc,  In  cover  tlirm  -^^f^^ 
witli  sttiiic  fiiir  |iri't('\t,  jiiut  iit  tlic  risk  of  lu'iii^'  tlir  )iii|K>  of 
iiiHiiiccrt)  adv/iiiccH  of  an  ciK'niy  at  onco  wil}'  ami  savuK*'.  lio 
prctciiilcii  to  li"li((vr  tlu-m  Hiiicoro,  witli  tho  view,  citing  of 
d«Iivi'iiii'4  HoiiK^  caiitivt*.  or  sniiliii^  hoiii(<  convov  safely 
tliroii;^'!),  and  tliiis  Have  trade  from  total  ruin  ;  or,  indeed, 
to  Hecuru  Hoinu  uioutlm'  trure,  if  only  tu  gain  lueanH  to 
breatlu*. 

Some  tiiiK?  after  tlio  raptnro  of  Father  llrcHsani,  Mr.  do  Tli«jro». 
C'liampllour,  f^overiior  of  Tliree  Ilivers,  infoiiiied  liim  tlmt  imi' 
Home  Hiirons  had  just  reached  his  post  with  three  InxjuoiH 
prisoiKTH ;  that  they  had  kIvcii  one'  to  tho  AI;.,'om|uiiis, 
'ndioni,  with  much  dilVieiilty,  lie  had  |ieisuaded  not  to  put 
their  captive  to  death  till  they  heard  from  him.  On  this 
information  the  ^^eiieral  proceeded  to  Three  Uiveis,  as- 
Hemliled  th(«  chief  men  of  thu  two  nations,  and  told  them 
that  if  they  would  put  their  priHoncrH  at  liiH  di.spoHal,  ho 
h(jped  to  uHt!  them  to  cstahlish  a  iliirahle  poaco  hetwt'oii 
them  ami  the  Inxpiois.' 

He  then  displayed  the  poods,  with  which  ho  expected  to 
inirchttHo  thoir  compliance  with  his  wishes;  and  he  added, 
that  to  provent  lieiiij^  deceived  by  their  comnum  foe,  ho 
would  at  tir.'^t  send  hack  only  one  of  these;  caj)tives,  and 
tlmt  he  wouhl  at  the  same  time  notify  the  cantons  that,  if 
they  wished  to  savo  tho  lives  of  the  other  two,  they  must, 
without  dehi}',  send  deputies,  with  full  ]iowcr8,  to  treat  of 
terms  to  restore  traiaiuillity  in  the  land.  As  soon  as  ho 
ceasod,  an  Algonquin  chief  arose,  and  taking  by  the  hand 
tho  prisoner  given  to  his  tribe,  presented  him  to  tho  gov- 
ernor, saying  that  he  could  refuHo  his  Father  nothing  ;'  that 
if  ho  accepted  his  presents,  it  was  only  to  havo  wherewith 
to  wipe  away  the  tears  of  a  family  in  wl.ich  this  ca])tivo 

'  Tokhrnlicni'liiarnii :  Krlittion  do        ''  Itclntion  do  la  Nouvolle  Franco, 

la   Noiivclli'    Kruiico,   l(i4rj,   p.   ^-| ;  lO-ll,  p]).  1(1,  47. 
C'ruuxiiiB,   lliotdria   Ciinadoueiti,   p.        ■'  lb.,  p.  47. 
41H. 


'    f 


176 


HISTORY  OP  NEW  FRANCE. 


1645. 


What 

pr.sscil  1)L'- 

twccii  liim 

nnd  tho 

Uurciis. 


r 


was  to  replace  a  lost  member  :  that,  moreover,  lie  wonld 
bo  c'liarmotl  to  have  peace  restored;  but  that  to  him  the 
thiiifj;  seemetl  siurouiuled  with  diflicultioH.' 

The  governor  thou  turned  towards  tho  Hurous  to  hear 
their  auswer  also,  but  ouc  of  them,  taking  up  the  word, 
rei)lied,  haughtily,  that  ho  was  a  warrior,  not  a  trader;  that 
he  had  not  left  his  town  to  traffic,  but  to  carry  ou  war ; 
that  his  stuffs  and  his  kettles  did  not  tempt  him  ;  that  if 
he  was  so  anxious  fur  his  prisoners,  ho  might  take  them — 
he  could  easily  replace  them,  or  die  in  the  endeavor  ;  that 
if  that  misfortune  bifell  him,  he  would  have  at  least  the 
consolation  of  djing  like  a  man  ;  but  that  his  nation  would 
say  that  Ononthio  had  caused  his  death. 

This  reply  embarrassed  the  governor-general,  but  an- 
other Huron,  a  Christian,  soon  extricated  Lim  from  liis 
dilemma. 

"  Ononthio,"  said  ho,  "  let  not  the  words  of  my  brother 
indispose  you  against  us.  If  wo  cannot  consent  to  give  you 
Myt  our  prisoners,  it  is  for  reasons  that  you  will  not  dis- 
approve. NTe  should  lose  honor  if  we  did  so.  You  see  no 
old  man  among  ns ;  young  people,  as  we  are,  are  not 
masters  of  their  actions,  and  warriors  would  be  dishonored 
if,  instead  of  returning  home  with  captives,  they  made 
their  appearance  with  goods.  What  would  you  say  your- 
self, father,  to  your  soldiers  if  you  saw  them  come  back 
fi'om  the  war  in  the  guise  of  mcichants ?  The  mere  wish 
■which  you  express  to  have  our  slaves  might  take  the  place  j 
of  ransom  ;  but  it  does  not  lie  with  us  to  dispose  of  them. 
Our  brothers,  the  Algonquins,  could  do  what  you  ask  of 
them,  because  they  are  with  their  sachems,  who  are  an- 
swerable to  no  man  for  their  conduct ;  not  being  rest  ained 
by  the  same  motives  as  ourselves,  they  could  not,  in 
courtesy,  refuse  you  so  trifling  a  matter.  Our  sachems, 
when  they  know  our  intentions,  -will,  doubtless,  pursue  the 
same  course.    We  all  desire  peace ;  we  enter  into  your 


•  Rolotion  de  la  N.  F.,  IGU,  p.  47;  Creuxius,  Hist.  Cun.,  pp.  414-C. 


HISTORY  OP  NEW  FRANCE. 


177 


views;  we  have  oven  anticipatod  thorn,  for  we  have  done     1645. 

no  harm  to  our  iii-isoners  ;  wc  have  treated  tliem  as  men  ^-^^i ' 

who  are  to  he  our  friends ;  but  it  does  not  become  ns  to 
forestall  the  consent  of  our  seniors,  nor  dei)rive  them  of  so 
brilliant  an  opportunity  of  showing  our  Father  how  thej 
respect  his  will. 

"  Another  reason  also  restrains  us,  and  I  am  sure  that  it 
will  be  as  legitimate  as  the  first  in  your  eyes.  TVe  know 
that  the  river  is  covered  with  our  enemies ;  if  we  meet  a 
force  superior  to  us,  what  will  your  presents  avail,  excei)t 
to  embarrass  us,  and  animate  them  tlie  more  to  the  combat, 
to  profit  by  our  booty?  But  if  they  see  among  us  some  of 
their  brethren,  who  show  that  wo  desire  ])eace  ;  that  Onon- 
thio  wishes  to  bo  the  father  of  all  the  nations,  that  ho  can 
no  longer  permit  !ds  children,  whom  he  bears  alike  in  his 
bosom,  to  contiinie  to  destroy  each  other,  the  arms  will 
fall  fi'om  their  hands ;  our  prisoners  will  save  our  lives, 
and  they  will  labor  much  more  eflScaciously  for  peace  than 
if  too  great  anxiety  is  shown  to  set  them  free.'" 

The  Chevalier  do  Montmagny  had  no  reply  to  make  to  The  Hu- 
languagc  so  studied  and  judicious  ;  he  even  saw  how  advan-  to"'treaf  7or 
tageous  it  would  be  to  let  the  first  advances  for  peace  be 
made  by  the  Hurons,  and  !ie  omitted  nothmg  to  induce 
them  to  it.  He,  accordingly,  replied  to  the  brave  who  had 
just  spoken  so  wisely,  that  he  strongly  approved  his 
reasons,  and  that,  after  all;  peace  was  far  more  their  affair 
than  his.  Still,  learning  that  Father  de  Brebeuf  wished 
to  nvail  himself  of  this  occasion  to  return  to  his  church, 
whose  pressing  needs  had  forced  him  to  descend  to 
Quebec,  and  whither  he  was  taking  two  now  missionaries,' 
he  deemed  it  wrong  to  leave  them  exposed  to  the  miseries 
which  had  overtaken  Fathers  Jogues  and  Bressani,  aud 
he  gave  them  an  escort  largo  enough  to  protect  them  from 
all  insult. 


(iCuce. 


'  Relation  i1e  la  Nouvello  France,  tiilis  CImbnnel :  Kolatiiii  de  la  Nou- 

l""*-*'  P  4H.  velle  Franco,  1«4.;,  p.  49 ;  1045,  p. 

*  Futhere  Leonard  Garreau  and  Na-  40. 
Vol.  11—13 


I 


1 


178 


HISTORY  OP  NEW  FRANCE. 


1641,.         Their  journey  was,  in   fact,  witlioiit   mishap,   and  on 

'      ''^^  their  arrival  in  tlio  Hnron  country,  it  was  clccided,  in  a 

The  Trfw    general  council,  to  send  the  two  Iroquois  prisoners  to  tho 

Kiiie.rciy    Clicvalier  do  Montmagny.     That  governor  had  already  set 

disposmi  to      ,   ,.,        ,       ,,  .  ,  1.1.1  -1  1         ., 

pe»ce.  at  hberty  tho  prisoner  placed  m  Ins  hancis  oy  the  Algon- 
quins ;'  and  the  cantons,  to  show  their  inclination  for 
peace,  had  sent  back  Couture,  the  young  Frenchman  who 
"Uowed  iiimself  to  be  taken  with  Father  Jogues.'  Ho 
was  attended  by  the  sahio  Iroquois  i)risoner  just  men- 
tioned, and  by  deputies  fi-om  the  cantons,  invested  with 
full  powers,  as  tho  governor-general  had  required. 
Public  an-  As  soon  as  their  arrival  at  Three  Eivera  was  known, 
given  them,  de  Moutiuagny  repaired  to  that  place  with  Father  Viaiond, 
peiiea^  find,  after  regaling  them,  set  a  day'  on  which  to  give  them 
audience.  On  that  day  tho  general  appeared  In  the  place 
of  the  fort  of  Three  Rivers,  which  he  had  had  covered 
with  sails  from  the  ships.  He  was  seated  in  an  armchair, 
with  Mr.  de  Cluimpflour  and  Father  Vimond*  at  his  side, 
and  many  officers,  and  tho  chief  inhabitants  of  tho  colony 
around.  The  Iroquois  deputi(>s,  to  the  number  of  five, 
were  at  his  feet,  seated  on  a  mat ;  they  had  chosen  that 
spot  to  show  more  respect  to  Onouthio,  whom  they  never 
adili-essed  except  as  their  father. 

The  AJgonquins,  Montagnez,  Attikamegues,  and  some 
other  Indians  of  the  same  language,  were  opposite,  and 
the  Hurons  remained  intermingled  with  the  French.  All 
the  middle  of  tho  place  was  open,  to  allow  evolutions  to 
be  made  without  interruiition,  for  this  kind  of  action  is  a 
sort  of  comedy,  where  very  sensible  things  are  said  and 


tliorc. 


'  He  set  out  May  21 :  Lettres  His- 
t(>  'iqucB  (le  la  M.  Marie  vie  I'lncar- 
nation,  p.  115. 

"  Keliitiou  df  la  Nouvelli.'  France, 
1045,  )).  2;i  ;  LettrrH  IIiHtori<iuoR  do 
la  M.  Mari<'  de  I'liicftrnnti'iii,  p.  IK!. 

•'  .Inly  2,  1(U5  :  Creuxins,  Hiatoria 
CnniulensiN,  )>.  417. 

*  Bartlioloniew   Vimont    came   to 


Cnj-e  Bretou  Sept.  18,  1(529,  and 
aftcf  a  year's  stay  returned  to 
France.  II(^  caino  to  Quebec  in 
AugUHt,  1030,  and  was  Huperior 
fmni  1039  to  1045.  He  returned  to 
France  Oot.  2«,  1059.  nnd  died  at 
Vannes,  July  1!!,  KiOT.  He  prepared 
»ix  volumes  <>f  tho  published  Uula- 
tions. 


HISTORY  OP  NEW  FRANCR 

oxpressGcl  bj'  quite  absurd  gestures  and  maunors.  With 
the  western  nations  it  is  customary  to  plant  in  the  middle 
a  great  calumet,  as  is  sometimes  also  practised  among 
the  others ;  for  since,  by  our  influence,  all  these  nations 
have  more  afluirs  to  arrange  with  each,  they  have  bor- 
rowed many  usages  from  each  other,  and  especially  that 
of  the  calumet,  which  they  now  commonly  use  in  their 
treaties. 

Tlio  Iroquois  had  brought  seventeen  belts,  which  were 
as  many  words,  that  is  to  say,  propositions  that  they 
wore  to  make  ;  and  to  expose  them  to  the  sight  of  all 
as  they  explained  them,  they  had  planted  two  posts,  with 
a  cord  between  them,  on  which  to  hang  the  belts.  All 
being  ranged  in  the  order  described,  the  orator  of  the 
cantons'  rose,  took  a  belt,  presented  it  to  the  governor- 
general,  and  said :  "  Ononthio,  give  ear  to  my  voice ;  all 
the  Iroquois  speak  by  my  mouth.  My  heart  has  no  evil 
thought ;  all  my  intentions  are  upright.  We  wish  to 
forget  all  our  songs  of  war,  and  let  them  give  place  to 
chants  of  joy."  He  immediately  began  to  sing,  his  col- 
leagues keeping  time  with  their  he,  drawn  in  cadence  from 
the  bottom  of  the  chest ;  and  while  chanting,  he  walked 
with  great  strides  and  gesticulated  in  a  manner  ludicrous 
enough. 

He  often  looked  up  to  the  sun,  nibbed  his  arms  as  if  to 
prepare  for  the  struggle  ;  at  last  he  resumed  a  calmer  air, 
and  continued  his  speech.  "  The  belt  which  I  in-csont  you, 
Father,  thanks  you  for  giving  Ufo  to  my  brother;  you 
have  rescued  him  from  the  teeth  of  the  Algonquius,  but 
how  could  you  let  him  set  out  alone?  Had  his  canoe 
turned,  who  was  to  help  him  to  right  it  ?  Had  he  drowned 
or  perished  by  any  accident,  you  would  have  had  no  tid- 
ings of  peace,  and  perhaps  have  cast  the  blame  on  us, 
when  it  rested  solely  on  yourselves."     With  these  words 

'  Kiotsaeton,  or  the  Hook  (Cro-  Mario  de  rincnrnation,  p.  118.  Ills 
chet) ;  LottroB  Historiques  de  la  M.     asBociatu  was  Ani^'^gan. 


179 


1645. 


^ 


180 


HISTORY  OF  NEW  FRANCE. 


Il: 


V    i 


1  ■ 


I       '!' 


1645.  lio  hung  tho  belt  on  tho  cord,  took  anotlier,  and  binding 
it  on  Couture's  arm,  he  again  turned  to  the  governor  and 
said : 

"  Father,  this  belt  brings  l)ack  your  subject :  but  I  was 
far  from  saying,  'Nephew,  take  a  canoe,  and  return  to 
your  country.'  I  should  never  have  been  tranquil  till  I 
had  sure  tidings  of  his  arrival.  My  brother,  whom  you 
sent  back,  has  sufTerod  much,  and  riin  great  risk  :  he  had 
to  carry  his  pack  alone,  row  all  day,  drag  his  canoe  over 
tho  rapids,  bo  always  on  the  watch  against  surprise." 
The  orator  accompanied  his  words  with  very  expressive 
gestures.  The  spectators  sometimes  seemed  to  see  a  man 
urging  on  his  canoe  with  a  pole,'  sometimes  turn  off  a 
wave  with  a  paddle ;  sometimes  he  seemed  out  of  breath, 
then  took  heart  again,  and  for  some  time  remained  calm 
enough. 

He  then  pretended  to  strike  his  foot  against  a  stone, 
while  carrying  his  baggage;  then  he  hmped,  as  if  lamed; 
"  Even,"  he  cried,  after  all  this  pantomime,  "  if  he  had  been 
aided  to  pass  the  most  difficiUt  sjjots !  Indeed,  Father, 
I  do  not  know  where  your  mind  was,  to  send  back  one 
of  youx'  children  alone  and  unaided.  I  did  not  do  the 
same  with  regard  to  Couture.  I  said  to  him,  '  Let  us  go, 
nephew ;  follow  me,  I  will  restore  you  to  your  family  at 
the  risk  of  my  life.' " 

The  other  belts  refen-ed  to  the  peace,  the  conclusion  of 
which  was  the  subject  of  this  embassy.  Each  had  its 
special  signification,  and  tbe  orator  explained  them  in  as 
gi-aphic  a  manner  as  he  had  done  the  two  former. 

One  smoothed  the  roads,  the  other  calmed  the  ri^ers, 
another  buried  the  hatchet ;  there  were  presents,  to  show 
that  henceforward  they  might  visit  them  without  fear  or 
distrust ;  the  feasts  that  they  would  give  each  other ;  the 
alliance  between  aU  these  nations  ;  their  mtention,  always 
entertained,  of  restoring  Father  Jogues  and  Father  13res- 


'  Called,  in  French,  piequer  defond. 


HISTORY  OP  NEW  FRANCE. 


181 


1645. 


govurnor- 
gcuoral. 


saiii ;  tlioir  irai)aticnce  to  seo  them  again ;  tho  woloome 
thoy  were  preparing  to  give  them ;  their  thanks  for  tlio 
deliverance  of  the  last  three  Iroquois  captives.  Each  of 
these  articles  was  expressed  by  a  belt ;  and  even  had  tho 
orator  not  spoken,  his  gestures  would  have  made  all  ho 
intended  to  say  intelligible.  The  most  surprising  point 
was  that  ho  played  his  part  for  three  hours,  without 
seeming  excited  by  it :  he  was  also  the  first  to  give  tho 
signal  for  a  sort  of  feast,  which  closed  the  session,  and 
consisted  of  chants,  dances,  and  banquets.' 

Two  days  after,  the  Chevalier  do  Moutmagny  replied  to  Re,,lyofthe 
the  propositions  of  the  Iroquois  ;  for  a  re2)ly  is  never 
made  the  same  day.  The  assembly  was  as  well  attended 
as  before,  and  the  governor-general  made  as  many 
presents  as  he  had  received  belts.  Couture  spoke  in  his 
name,  in  Iroquois,  but  rithout  gesticulation  and  without 
interrupting  his  speech."  On  tho  contrary,  ho  affected  a 
gravity  becoming  the  one  for  whom  he  acted  as  inter- 
preter. When  ho  closed,  Pieskaret,  an  Algonquin  chief, 
rose  and  made  his  presents.  "Here,"  said  he,  "  is  a  stone 
which  I  set  on  the  grave  of  all  who  fell  during  the  wai-, 
that  no  one  may  go  to  move  their  bones,  or  think  of 
revengu\g  them."  This  chief  was  one  of  the  bravest  men 
ever  seen  in  Canada,  and  almost  incredible  stories  aro 
told  of  his  prowess.' 

Negabamat,  chief  of  the  Montagnez,  then  presented  a 
moose-skin,  to  make,  he  said,  moccasins  for  tho  L'oquois 
deputies,  that  thoy  might  not  gall  their  feet  on  their  home- 
ward march.    The  other  nations  did  not  speak,  apparently 


'  The  proccotlings  are  given  in  de- 
tail in  the  Ifolation  de  la  Nouvelle 
France,  1045,  pp.  2;i-7 ;  Lettrea  His- 
toriques  tie  la  M.  Marie  de  I'lncar- 
nution,  pp.  120-8 ;  Creuxius,  His- 
tima.  Canadensis,  pp.  418-20. 

-  The  Relation  do  la  Nouvelle 
Franco,  l(i4."),  p.  27,  Bays  tho  14th. 
Couture  is  not  mentioned. 


'  As  to  Simon  Picscaret,  see  Creux- 
ius, Historia  Canadensis,  p.  4(i5 ; 
Relation,  1041,  p.  134;  104;{,  p.  59  ; 
1045,  p.  28  ;  1047,  pp.  4,  08,  72  ;  1050, 
p.  43 ;  Pcrrot,  Mtrurs.  (.'oust  nines,  etc., 
pp.  107 -!)  ;  De  la  Potlierie,  llistoire 
de  rAmerl(|uo  Se|)tentrionale,  i.,  p. 
2i)7;  Coldon,  Five  Nations  (New 
York,  1727),  p.  11. 


J 


182 


HISTORY  OF  N'^'V  FRANCE. 


J  645.  because  they  had  neither  chiefs  nor  orators.  Tlie  session 
^-"'r'''^  closed  with  three  salvos  of  artillery,  to  proclaim,  as  the 
governor  explained  to  the  Indians,  the  news  of  the  peace 
in  all  directions.  The  Sui)erior  of  the  Jesuits  also  regaled 
the  ambassadors,  who  addressed  him  in  the  most  cordial 
words.  Good  cheer  makes  these  people  very  eloquent,  and 
there  is  no  eulogium  which  you  may  not  anticipate  when 
you  give  thom  a  hearty  meal.  These  praises  must  not 
indeed  bo  taken  too  literally ;  but  they  cost  little,  for  it 
is  not  necessary  to  go  to  great  expense  to  satisfy  people 
who  find  any  thing  and  every  thing  palatable.' 
Tiie  ponce  The  next  day  the  deputies  took  up  their  homeward 
the  cantons,  march."  Two  Frenchmen,  two  Hurons,  and  two  Algon- 
quins  end)arkcd  with  them,  and  three  Iroquois  remained 
as  hostag(;s  in  the  colony.'  The  treaty  was  ratified  by 
the  Mohawk  canton,  the  only  one  hitherto  openly  at  war 
with  us.  The  two  Frenchmen  and  their  four  Indian  com- 
panions returned  :.t  the  time  set  for  them — that  is  to  say, 
about  the  middle  of  September.'  They  brought  back 
word  that  all  the  Iroquois  solicited  missionaries,  that  the 
Hurons  and  Algonquins  of  the  Island'  had  also  acceded  to 
the  treaty,  and  that  all  appeared  tranquil. 

At  this  juncture  Father  Bres-sani  arrived  at  Quebec,  and 
barely  took  a  few  days  to  recruit  before  setting  out  with 
Father  Poncet  to  return  to  the  Hurons.  On  departing,  he 
expressed  an  earnest  desii'o  to  bo  placed  among  the  mis- 


'  Relation  do  la  Nouvelle  France, 
1045,  p.  28. 

'  Saturday,  July  15  :  Relation  de 
la  Nouvelle  France,  1645,  p.  28; 
Lettres  Ilistoriques,  p.  133 ;  Creux- 
iu8,  Ilistoria  Canadensis,  p.  422. 

^  This  was  on  September  8.%  after 
the  ratification.  See  Relation  do  la 
N<  avelle  France,  1045,  p.  35. 

*  Thoy  returned,  September  17, 
with  Couture,  and  set  out  again  on 
the  22d  with  all  the  Mohawk  pris- 
ouers :    Luleuiuut,    Journal ;    Rela- 


tion de  la  Nouvelle  France,  1045,  p. 
30  ;  Creuxius,  Ilistoria  Canadensis, 
p.  423.  Just  before,  a  flotilla  of 
sixty  canoes  came  down  from  the 
Huron  country,  and  others  from  the 
Upper  Algonquins.  There  was  an- 
other general  assembly,  and  Cou- 
tur(^  explained  the  eighteen  Iroquois 
belts :  Relation  de  la  Nouvelle 
France,  1045,  p.  30 ;  Lettres  Ilisto- 
riques di-  la  M.  Marie  de  I'lucarna- 
tion,  pp.  129,  134. 
'  The  Kicliisipirini. 


HISTORY  OF  NEW  FlUNCB. 


183 


Bionar'js  to  tlio  Iroquois,  if  missionaries  wcro  accorded  to     1645. 

tho  cantons.     He  even  made  a  collection  for  his  old  tor-  " ■ ' 

turers,  to  teach  them  what  kind  of  vengeance  Cliristianity     Father 
inculcates,— a  sentiment  well  worthy  of  an  apostolic  man   reniri,""to 
and  a  confessor  of  Christ,  but  whoso  nobility  these  sav- "'"  ""'■°"** 
agea  were  not  capable  of  appreciating,  and  failed  to  Tirofit 
by.' 

The  next  winter  was  marked  by  a  scene  never  l)eforo  wit- 
nessed since  the  arrival  of  the  French  in  Canada.  The  Iro- 
quois, Hurons,  and  Algonquins,  mingling  together,  hunted 
as  peacefully  as  though  all  were  of  the  same  nation.  By 
means  of  this  good  understanding  the  Huron  missionaries 
received  all  the  succor  of  which  thoy  had  been  so  long 
deprived,  made  apostolic  excursions  in  all  security,  and 
joyfully  gathered  their  sheaves  which  they  had  sowed  in 
tears  ;  but  these  halcyon  days  did  not  last,  and  the  calm 
seems  to  have  been  granted  only  to  give  them  time  to  gain 
breatl   and  prepare  for  new  combats.' 

At  the  beginning  of  this  same  year,  164G,  New  France    Death  of 
lost  two  of  its  first  missionaries.     Fathcv  Euemond  Masse  K^,em?,na 

Masse  and 

Aiiiic  du 

K0U6. 


died  at  Sylleri,  in  the  exercise  of  a  zeal  chat  nothing  ever 
rejielled,  and  which,  sustained  by  great  talents,  was  al- 
ways very  fruitful.  He  was  not  as  yet  far  advanced  in 
years,  but  his  travels  and  his  hardships  had  worn  on  him 
extremely.'      Father  Anne  de  None  soon  followed  him. 


'  Relation  de  la  Nouvelle  Franco, 
161(1,  p.  i(f;  Lettrus  Histoiiqucs  do 
lu  .M.  Jlnrii'do  rinaiiiiaiiou,  p.  loO. 

-  This  briuf  pi^aco  onabli'd  tUocol- 
o-d}  to  dovclnp  again  its  trade  in 
furs.  Twenty-two  of  tin;  soliUors 
from  France  accompanied  tlic  Hu- 
rons to  the  Wi'st  in  1041,  and  re- 
turned with  a  large  convoy  the  next 
year.  The  fleet,  which  sailed  for 
France  on  Oct.  34,  101.5,  carried  out 
thirty  thounnnd  pounds  of  beaver. 
Another  jwint  in  coniuiction  with 
Canada  sliould  be  noted  here.  This 
■was  the  effort  made  by  the  Society 


of  Monti-.'al  to  hav(!  an  Pidscopal 
see  e8tal)lished  at  Montreal.  Tlio 
Rev.  Mr.  Lcfjuuftre,  a  zealous  and 
wealthy  clergyman  of  their  society, 
was  proiX)sed,  and  on  his  sudden 
death  tlie  matter  was  taken  up  by 
Cardinal  Mnzarin  and  the  French 
bislio|)s  ;  but  finally  fell  tiirough : 
Fnillou,  Ilistoiri!  de  hi  Colonic  Fran- 
(;aise,  ii.,  p|).  47-50. 

'  Father  Eneniond  JIasso  (or  Masse, 
as  the  Relations  and  Champlnin 
write)  died  yh\y  11-12  (L;ilemant. 
Journal,  says  May  1(11 — Rul)se(pii]it- 
ly,  therefore,  to  the  death  of  De  Noue. 


1646. 


i 

\' 

i     h 


184 


HISTORY   OF   NEW   FRANCE. 


ff 


\h-^ 


1646.  Ho  set  out  from  Thrco  Rivers  on  the  30th  of  January,  to 
go  and  fonfess  tlio  garrison  of  Fort  Kii-lu'liou,  ami  pro- 
pare  them  to  colelnato  the  feast  of  Cajitlk'nias.  He  wan- 
dered from  the  two  sohliers  and  tlie  Huron  who  accom- 
panied him,  in  attempting  to  go  on  ahead  ;  but  lio  lost  his 
•way  beyond  recovery,  and  on  the  very  day  of  the  feast  he 
■was  found  dead,  kuticling  amid  the  snow.' 

His  l)ody  was  carritid  to  Three  lUvers,  where  ho  was  in 
gn-at  odor  of  sanctity.  His  obst-quies  were  celebrated 
with  all  possible  pomp  ;  but  more  prayers  were  addri'ssed 
to  him  than  recited  for  him.  INIany  even  have  declared 
that  they  found  it  impossible  to  i)ray  for  him.  Others,  at 
the  sight  of  his  body,  were  penetrated  with  a  sincere 
repentance  for  their  sins  and  made  long-deferred  confes- 
sions :  so  that  we  may  say  that  his  bones  projihesied  oven 
more  happily  than  those  of  EUseus,  which  restored 
bodily  life  to  a  corpse  by  the  mere  touch ;  whereas 
many  recovered  spiritual  life  on  casting  their  eyes  on  the 
sad  remains  of  a  missionary  fallen  in  the  exercise  of  his 
ministry.' 

The  colony  had  scarcely  begun  to  enjoy  the  delights  of 
peace,  when  war   had  well-nigh   been  enkindled  anew. 


The  Jonrnnl  here  has  after  Massfi'a 
naiiK"  tilt-  words,  "  premier  mission- 
nnirc!  du  t'linada,"  in  Cliiirleviiix's 
Imi'.dwrltiiij^  ;  yet,  witli  tlie  .Jouruiil 
to  guide  liim,  lie  iiiiide  do  Nones 
dentil  follow  :  Heliition  do  la  Nou- 
velle  Frauee,  1U4(),  p.  11  ;  Uressani, 
Breve  Relatione,  p.  75 ;  Lettrea  Ilis- 
toriques  de  la  M.  Mario  do  I'lncar- 
nation,  pp.  148-53 ;  Creuxius,  His- 
torla  Canadensis,  p.  445.  Knemond 
Masso  was  born  at  Lyons  ;  and  hav- 
ing been  socius  to  Father  Coton, 
was  sent  to  Acadiu  in  1011.  He  was 
at  St.  Sauveur  when  it  was  attacked 
by  Arga!.  Ho  returned  to  Canada 
in  1025,  and  was  carried  oflfby  Kirk. 
Ho  again  returned  in  1033,  and  died 
at  the  ago  of  73. 


'  Relation  de  la  Nouvolle  France, 
1040,  p.  11  ;  Bregsani,  Breve  Rela- 
tione, pp.  73-5  ;  Creuxius,  Historia 
Caniulousis,  p.  4-1!). 

'■'  Lalemant,  Journal,  February  13, 
1(!4j  ;  BresHani,  Brevo  Relatione,  pp. 
73,  74 ;  Relation  de  la  Nouvelle 
France.  1640,  pp.  9-11 ;  Lettres  llis- 
toriques  do  la  M.  Mario  do  I'lncar- 
nation,  p.  153  ;  Memoires  toucliant 
les  vertus,  (manuscript,  1053); 
Creuxius,  Historia  Canadensis,  p. 
440.  Ho  was  of  a  noble  family,  his 
father  being  Lord  of  Prieres,  near 
Rheims.  A  page  at  court,  he  be- 
came a  religious  and  a  missionary. 
He  came  to  Canada  July  14,  1020. 
Ho  died  at  the  age  of  sixty-three. 
Bays  Du  Creux. 


IIISTOUY   OF  NEW  FHANCE. 


185 


1646. 


Tliroo   Iiuliuiis  of  Syllcii,  Imviiig  gone  a  hlioit  diKtiuico 
from    their    town,   wcrt-    nmidoroil.      Another,    travelling' 
with   his  wife,  was  attacked  and   dangironsly  wounihjd.  The  s„ko. 
His   wife    was   sealped    and    K'ft   for   dead.      13otli    wcto ';;;,;;  i;'::!;" 
fonnd    in    a    pool    of   Uood   and   carried   to    the    Hotel  ""'l>'""^°- 
Dieu,  where  the  husband  died,  but  the   wife   recovered. 
All  suspicions  fell  at  first  on  tho  Iroquois;   but  it  was 
subsequently    ascertained    that    tho    assassins    were    So- 
kokis,    who,    embittered    against      he    Algonquins,    had 
used  every  device  to  divert  the  Iroquois  from  concluding 
peace  with  them,  and  failing,  now  sought  all  weans  to 
break  it  oft'.' 

These  accidents  had,  therefore,  no  evil  consequences.  Tlio  Iro- 
On  the  contrary,  the  treaty  of  the  preceding  year  was  TiL'^w!' 
ratified  by  new  deputies,  who  came  to  deplore  Father 
Masse  and  Father  de  Xoue,"  and  cover  the  two  illustrious 
dead— that  is  to  say,  ofler  condolence  and  presents  to  tho 
Jesuits  on  the  death  of  their  brethren.  But  as  the  French 
had  as  yet  negotiated  only  with  the  Mohawk  canton  directly, 
these  deputies  warned  tho  governor-general  to  be  on  his 
guard  against  the  others  till  they  were  all  included  by 
name  in  the  treaty ;  which  would  have  been  done  already, 
they  added,  had  Ononthio  anticipated  them  by  restoring 
to  liberty  some  braves  of  those  cantons  held  as  prisoners 
by  our  allies. 

To  all  appearance  de  Montmagny  would  not  have  omit- 
ted so  trifling  a  matter  to  secure  the  peace  of  the  colony ; 
but  I  find  nothing  in  ray  memoirs.  "We  shall  even  see  the 
four  cantons  soon  fanning  the  embers  of  discord  and  set- 
ting all  Canada  in  flames.    It  is  certain  that  the  wisest 


'  This  Indian,  Vincent,  died  March  Dieppe  in  1639  (ante,  p.  100).    Tiny 

14:    Lalemant,  Journal,  March  14,  eixm   alter  estublished   n   house  at 

and    preliminary   Estat    du    Pays.  Sillery  :  Juehercaii,  Ilisti.irr  de  lllo- 

Thc  three  Montagnais  were  killed  tcl  Dieu  de  Qiiel)e<',  ]).  ^7. 

October  13  :  Relation  do  la  Nouvello  »  delation  de  la  Noiivcllc  Frnnce, 

France,  l(i4(!,  p.  li.     The  Hotel  Dieu  lfi4(i,  p.  6  ;  Creuxius,  Hi.stoiia  Cana- 

is  the  hospital  urider  tlie  care  of  the  densis,  p.  41!) :  De  lu  I'otlierie,  Hist. 

Hospital    Nuns,    who    came    from  do  I'Am.  Sept.,  ji.,  p.  44. 


I 


180 


lllSTuitV  OF  M;\V   rilANC'K. 


)  ' 


1646.     course  was  tlion  takoii  to  niaiiitain,  at  leaHt,  the  alliaiicu 
'  ■" »  "^    with  till)  Mohawkn,  ami  gaiu  that  canton  to  Cliiist.' 

FiiiliT  I'athir  Jof^nu's  hail  sown  tho  hi'ikI  of  tho  Word  tliiTO 
makoH  two  cliiiin},'  Ills  i!i|itivity.  Ho  knew  tho  hmguaf^'o  ;  ho  anlriitly 
Mohuwks.  do>sin'tl  to  jirolit  l»y  tho  poaoo  to  jtroaoli  tlio  ^osikI  Ihi'ie 
pulihi'ly ;"  anil  lio  obtahioil  without  any  ililliouhy  jxrniis- 
Kiou  to  accompany  tho  last  iloputios  whou  tlicy  wore 
roturnin^  homo:  Init  tho  {^'ovi  rnoi-f,'fm'ial  oxactcil  from 
him,  that  aftor  thoy  siifcci'di'il  in  ini'ludiii^,'  all  tlio  cantons 
in  tho  treaty,  ho  would  nlurn  to  report  tho  disposiliuM  in 
which  ho  found  tho  Irocpiois  nation.  I  oven  llnd,  in  somo 
uitnioirs,  that  tho  Al^'oniiuins  advised  tho  missionaiy  not 
to  appear  in  his  habit,  on  this  lirst  visit,  nor  speak  of 
rolif<ion,  and  that  their  advico  was  followed.'  Bo  that  as 
it  may,  tho  servant  of  CJod  embarked  on  tho  IGth  of  May,* 
aceomi)anied  by  tho  Sieur  JJourdon,  one  of  tlio  leadiii}^ 
men  of  Quebec,^ — two  Algompiins  followinjj;  them  in  an- 
other canoe,  loaded  with  presents  to  distribute  anion^  tho 
Ii'oquois  cantons,  iu  tho  name  of  their  luition.'     On  tlio 


'  CreuxiuB,  Hiatoria  CanadenBis, 
p.  440. 

'Up  had  bopn  at  MontriMil,  nnd 
thcro  dri'w  up  his  account  of  Nl-w 
Nfthi-rland  and  of  Item'  lioupil.  and 
pnvc  Kntlicr  Hiitciix  an  nccimnt  of 
liis  cniitivity,  wliicli  the  latter  coni- 
niittud  to  writing,  and  whii.'li  is  ex- 
tant. 

'  Kilation  dc  la  Nouvellc  France, 
1010,  p.  15. 

*  From  Three  Uivers.  They  left 
Fort  Hichelicu  the  Isth.  IJelation 
do  la  NouvcUe  France,  ](il7,  p.  3ti ; 
Lettres  lli.^toriinu-s  de  la  M.  .Mnric 
de  riiicarnation,  p.  11(1 ;  Creuxius, 
Ilistoria  Cnniidtnsis,  )>.  ■t.')l. 

'  .T<ihn  Biiunldn,  proprietor  of  the 
flefn  of  St.  .lolin  and  St.  Francis  in 
the  dependency  of  Quebec,  chief-en- 
gineer nnd  sulise<|uently  jirocurator- 
geniTid  of  Niw  I'riince,  came  over 
iu  lUli^or  lUu4.    In  lOliT  heubtuiued 


tho  Bflfcneury  of  rvnnlwurg  (now 
Neuvillc  nnd  I'ointenux  'I'lemlili'H  : 
Ferland.  Notes  Hur  les  Kcjfi.'*!  res  do 
yuelx'C,  pp.  'iii,  7.'). 

'  A  journal  of  tliis  journey  of 
Fiitlier  Jof,'Ui  B  was  anionp  tlie  ar- 
chives of  the  .Ies\iif.<,  wliicli  pasKed 
into  the  bands  of  the  Fn^dish  (i<n- 
crninent.  Smith  had  il  in  c<jni- 
piliiig  his  histi^ry  of  Ciinuda  c'  vols. 
So,  tjuelx'c,  lBt5);  but  it  liiis  never 
since  ajjpeared.  It  is  given  ai)par- 
ently  in  substiiuco  in  the  Ifelation 
of  11)40,  p.  15,  which  Charlevoix 
seems  to  have  overl(M)ked.  The 
missionary  went  by  way  of  Lake 
()eorf;e.  called  by  the  M<diBwks  An- 
diataroctc — "  when'  the  lake  closes" 
^Onjadamcte,  N.  Y.  Cull.  Doc,  iii., 
]>.  5."ilM,  but  to  which  he  pave  tho 
name  of  Ijike  St.  Sacrenient — Lake 
of  the  lilessed  Sucriiment — from  his 
reaciiing  it  on   the  eve  of  Corpus 


HISTORY  OP  NEW  FRANCE. 


187 


5th  of  June'  they  readied  tlio  firHt  Mohawk  town,  whero 
thoy  woio  welcomed  witli  cve;y  mark  oi  Hincere  frieiidMliip. 
Father  Joguca  was  rtt-ogiiizod  by  aomo  wlio  had  niont 
cruelly  ill-usod  him,  and  who  now  paid  him  endless  eour  • 
tesy.  What  followed  I  know  not ;'  but  the  missionary 
certainly  did  not  go  beyond  the  canton  of  the  Mohawks, 
whero  he  h'ft  his  box,  saying  that  ho  wished  to  fix  his 
residence  there,  and  that  it  would  not  bo  long  before  he 
returned.' 

He  then  sot  out  again  for  Fort  Richelieu,  whero  he 
arrived  on  the  27th  <->(  the  same  month.'  Finiling  de 
Montnuigny  there,  he  assured  him  that  he  could  rely  on 
the  Mohawks;  but  we  must  infer  that  the  governor  did 
not  attach  more  weight  than  he  should  to  this  testimony. 
He  was  too  enlightened  not  to  perceive  that  a  religious, 
situated  as  Father  Jogues  was,  would  see  in  these  Imliaus 
all  that  he  desired  to  see,  and  that  he  had  really  no  other 


1646. 


Cliristi,  May  29.  They  forded  tlio 
upper  iluilHon  (Oiogue',  and  then 
Btrufk  tlie  river  a^ain  at  Ossaragm', 
ft  lieiTingfisliing  jxigt,  wlienee  they 
degcinth-d  in  canoes  to  Fort  Orange 
(Albany),  where  they  remained  from 
the  4tli  to  the  Kith  of  June,  accord- 
ing to  tlie  Uelation  ;  but  the  InBt 
date  ia  evidently  an  error  for  Ctli. 
Ciiarlevoix  is  in  error,  tlierefore,  in 
asserting  tliat  lie  did  not  go  beyond 
the  caiiton  of  the  Moliawks.  From 
Albany  Jogues  wrote  to  bis  benefac- 
tor, Megapolensis. 

'  He  runiaiiied  at  Fort  Grange  till 
the  Cth,  and  the  next  evening 
reached  OsserrVon  or  Oneugi^re, 
which  the  missionury  called  Holy 
Trinity  :  delation,  l(i40,  p.  15. 

'  On  the  lOih  of  June,  according 
to  the  Kelation,  l(i4(i,  the  I'rench 
envoys  met  the  sachems.  Father 
Jogues  delivered  tlio  presents,  ex- 
pressed the  joy  fi^lt  by  the  French 
on  receiving  their  unibassailors,  and 
the  general  sutiijfuctioa  at  the  con- 


clusion of  peace.  lie  assuretl  them 
that  a  council-fire  was  lighted  at 
Three  Kivers.  He  then  gave  wum- 
imiu  to  rede<'m  some  prisoners  still 
held,  and  to  keep  a  lire  for  the 
French  in  the  \\o\{  funiily.  He 
then  spoke  tor  the  Algoncjuins,  and 
gave  a  i)reMent  to  some  Unondagas 
who  were  present,  to  prepare  the 
way  to  their  towns.  Tlie  sachems 
answered  with  j^jnip  and  marks  of 
g(K)d-\vill ;  Holution  de  la  Nouvello 
France,  lU4i!,  p.  10. 

"  This  box  i)roved  fatal.  The  Mo- 
hawks  eyed  it  3U.«pieiously ;  and 
till. ugh  Jogues  oi:<ntd  it,  to  disa. 
huse  them,  he  did  not  dispel  the 
fears  of  the  superstitioup  .Mohawks: 
Hclation  de  la  Noiivelle  Fninco, 
104(i,  p.  10 ;  Memoires  sur  leg  vertus, 
etc.,  MS. 

■*  They  left  the  Mohawk  castle, 
June  10,  and  making  canoes  at  Lake 
Oiorge,  reiiclied  Fort  Uichelieu  on 
the  :Jah  :  Uelation  de  la  Nouvelle 
Franco,  lo40,  p.  17. 


T  / 


i 


188 


UlSTOUY  OF  NEW   FILVNUt!. 


1646.     rooflOQ  for  belioving  tlioiu  Kiiicoiol)'  chiiu^jiHl  iu  our  ro^^ard 
"  -■  I  "^  '  tbau  hin  uxtruiuo  /etil  uiiil  hopo  of  luukiiig  thuiu  C'lirin- 
tiuuH.     Yvt,  iivurHu  uu  ho  wuh  to  expoHu  to  thu  ciipru-u  of 
au   iiicouHtuut  puoplo  a  uiuu  who  hud  buuu  too  hmlly 
troutud  at  tiu^ir  hiiudM  to  bo  uvur  rugurdod  fuvorubl^)'  by 
thuni,  h(3  (louHuutud  to  hiu  kuc^piiig  liiu  word. 
nniitiiitipii      Tlio  Hurvuut  of  God,  at  tlio  Huuimit  of  hiH  dosireM,  aud 
twvuii  thu  already  iu  iiuagiuation  beholding  the  Iroquoiu  erowdiiig 
aiMi'liu-    urouud  him  to  bo  iimtructed  iu  our  luyBtericH,  Met  out  ou 
'""*•      tho  2-lth  of  Sopteiubor,  accomi)uuiud  by  Hoiue  IndiauH  aud 
u  Fruuchmau.'     It  wum  uoou  after  aHcertaiued  that  hoHtil- 
itiea  had  boeu  renewed  between  the  upper  IroquoiH  aud 
tho  Hurous.*     Tho  upper  Iroquois  cotiipriHcd   the  four 
cautouH  who  had  uot  coucurred  iu  the  treaty  of  peace.* 
Tho  lower  Iroquois  are  the  Mohawks  aloue,  although 
some  uiclude  also  tho  cuutou  of  Oneida.*    But  to  under- 
staud  clearly  what  we  have  to  say  of  this  nation,  which 
enters  so  largely  iuto  the  history  that  I  am  writiug,  it  is 
uecessary  to  know  the  situatiim  and  nature  of  thu  couutry 
which  it  occupies,  L.id  the  five  cantons  that  compose  it. 
Extent  und      The  Iroquois  couutry*  extends  betwoeu  41°  aud  44"  N., 
tiu)  Iro-    about  seventy  or  eighty  leagues  from  cast  to  west,  from 
^""'try.°"°  tbo  upper  part  of  tho  river  which  has  successively  borne 
their  uame,  those  of  Kichelieu  and  Sorel — that  is  to  say, 
from  Lake  St.  Sacremeut  to  Niagara — and  a  little  over 
forty  leagues  fiom  uorth  to  south,  or  rather  from  north- 
east to  southwest — from  the   source  of  the  little  river 
of  tho  Mohawks  to  the  Ohio.      It  is  bounded,   there- 
fore, ou  tho  south  by  this  last  river  and  by  Peunsylvania  ; 
on  the  west  by  Lake  Ontario ;  Lake  Erie  on  tho  uorth- 


■  Relation  de  la  NouvuUe  Franco, 
1640.  p.  17  ;  1(>17,  p.  3  ;  Ijettrus  Uis- 
torl(|Ui-8  (Iu  la  M.  Muriu  du  I'lncarua- 
tion,  p.  lUl. 

'  U»'(,'i»irt'  do  Villtunario,  11th 
August,  KUd ;  Il'lation,  1040,  pp. 
3o,  •'"•l,  o'J.  Kut'ici-  Jogues  knew 
tLiH  bufuru  leaving  .lie  Moliawk,  uh 


he  wan  warned  to  b«  ou  his  guard  : 
Ki'lation  de  la  Nuuvelle  France,  1047, 
p.  17. 

'  liulation  de  la  Nouvollo  France, 
1040,  p.  54. 

*  Lalitaii,  Mocurs  des  Siiuvagea,  i., 
p.  10:. 

'  Cumpai'e  bmith's  New  i'ork. 


i   I. 


IIISTOUY  OF  NKAV   FUANlE. 


lUO 


WPHt ;    on   tlio  nortlj   hy    liiiko   St.   Siicroin.Mit    iind    llio     1646. 
lliv«'r  St.  Ijiwniuo  ;  \>y  N»'W  York  partly  on  tlio  wmth  ^"*"v— ^ 
and  partly  on  thu  HoiitlmitHt.     It  Ih  wiitort'il  hy  Hovoriil 
rivtTH.     Tho  Hoil  viuii'«  in  diffiTcnt  parts,  but  in,  gouornlly 
HpciikiiiK,  very  ftrtilo. 

TIm'  Mohawk  canton  Ih  tho  uxpst  northerly  of  all,  and  Ori«in  of 
noaroHt  to  N»nv  York.  ThoHO  of  Ontida,  ()n(!nda^'a, 
Cayn(,'a,  and  Sonoca  follow  in  tho  order  in  which  I  liavo 
jnst  naini'd  thoiii,  ^oing  W(>Ht,  inclining  a  littl(>  towardn 
tho  Houth,  which  has  ^ivcn  thcni  thu  nani<<  of  I'ppcr 
CantoiiH ;  uidcss  it  is  inferred  that  they  derive  their  name 
from  Iteinj^  nn't  in  that  order  us  you  ascend  the  St.  Law- 
rence and  Lake  Ontario,  which  that  river  traverses.  The 
name  Irotpiois  is  purely  French,  and  is  fornii-d  from  tho 
term  l/lro  or  /A /o,  which  means  / /kjc*' .vd/W- with  which 
these  Indians  close  all  their  addresses,  as  the  Latins  did 
of  old  with  their  <//>/ — and  of  Kour,  which  is  a  cry  some- 
times of  sadness,  when  it  is  prolonged,  and  sometimes  of 
jr)y,  when  it  is  pronounced  shorter.'  Their  proper  name 
is  Agounonsioimi,  which  means  ((ihiit-iiuilirrs,''  because 
they  Ituild  them  much  nu)ro  solid  than  other  Indians. 

Through  tho  Mohawk  canton,  which  was  at  tho  time  of 
which  we  are  writing  the  most  populous  of  all,  a  j)vetty 
river  meanders  agreeably,  for  seven  or  eight  leagues,  be- 
tween two  beautifid  prairies.'  That  of  Onondaga  contains 
a   beautiful  lake,  called   Ganmntnha*  in   tho  vicinity  of 


'  ("liarlt'voix,  Journal,  p.  :)3  ;  I^a- 
fitau,  Md'urH  dfs  Suiivnp's,  i.,  p. 
Q'i.  W'  Ilcirnii.  taking  Ii'<H|UoiM  to 
be  an  Indiuii  iiiunc,  ninkiw  tlicni  ilc- 
Bcmil  from  tin-  Yrcunsof  HcriHlotiiB: 
Du  Origiiic  (U'utiuin,  p.  IHl. 

''  Clmrlcvoix  licro  follows  Lafitnu, 
Mcrurndi'M  Sjiuvujfctt,  i,,  p.  lOi  Tlic 
Kelation  (If  la  .Nonvclli'  Kraiicc,  lir^, 
p.  11,  says  Ilotinnonchicndi — tliat  is 
to  Bay,  "  tlio  ooniplfkHl  cabin."  See 
aim)  UiliO,  p.  ;!8.  This  m  a  Huron 
form.  I'utlur  Hruy as  given  the  Mo- 
hawk form  as  Ilutinuugioiiiu ;  Col- 


den,  as  HrKJlnunchHiouni  (Ilistory  of 
the  Five  Natione,  N.  Y.,  17^7,  p.  l)j 
Morgan,  the  Seneca  form,  Ilodu- 
noHniiuce.  The  triinHlation,  "  caliin- 
niukers,"  is  an  irnr.  It  is  a  ver- 
bal form,  nieanin),'  '  tiny  make  («'.  «., 
eoiiKtilule)  a  ndiin  ;"  Ih  iire  the 
"  conipleti'd  cabin'  itself.  This  is 
the  interpretation  of  Uruyaw,  sup. 
iwrted  by  Dr.  Wilson,  a  well-in- 
formed miidiTn  Iri»niois  aiitlinrily. 

•*  The  CohiH'w  were  npi'arenlly  un- 
known to  Charlevoix. 

*  OuouUaga  Luku, 


190 


HISTORY  OP  NEW  FRANCE. 


1646. 


ii 


The  elMrnc- 

teristioa  ol' 

eucli  t'liu- 

ton. 


•\vliicli  tlicrb  are  several  salt-Hpvings,  with  the  edges  always 
covered  with  ver^  line  salt.  Two  leagues  further  towards 
the  canton  of  Cayuga  is  a  spring  of  milk-white  water,  of 
very  sharp  odor,  and  resolving  itself,  when  set  on  fire, 
into  a  kind  of  salt  as  acrid  as  caustic'  This  whole  canton 
is  charming,  and  the  soil  adapted  to  every  crop.  That  of 
Oneida  lies  between  Mohawk  and  Onondaga,  and  is  in  no 
respect  inferior  to  either  ;  but  the  canton  of  Cayuga  sur- 
passes all  in  excellence  of  soil  and  mildness  of  climate. 
The  inhabitants  even  show  some  slight  efifect,  and  have 
always  seemed  the  most  tractable  of  all  the  Iroquois.  In 
the  extensive  tract  of  country  occupied  by  the  Senecas 
there  are  charming  spots,  and,  generally  speaking,  the 
soil  is  good.  Earth  is  said  to  have  been  discovered  which, 
when  well  washed,  yields  a  very  pure  sulphur  ;  and  in  the 
same  place  is  a  spring,  the  water  of  which,  well  boiled, 
turns  into  sulphur.  It  is  added  that  this  water  takes  fire 
spontaneously  when  violently  agitated.'  Further  on,  ap- 
proaching the  country  of  the  ancient  Eriez,  there  is  a 
thick,  oily,  stagnant  water,  which  takes  fire  like  brandy." 

The  bay  of  the  Cayugas  and  that  of  the  Senecas,  and 
the  great  marsh  in  the  latter  canton,  I  have  spoken  of 
elsewhere  as  places  that  appeared  to  me  delicious.  I  may 
add,  that  coasting  along  the  whole  country  from  the  On- 
ondaga to  the  Niagara  rivers,  I  saw  nothing  but  fertile, 
well-wooded  and  well-watered  lands,  if  you  except  some 
sandy  beaches  which  do  not  run  inland ;  but  it  may  be 
that  parts  where  I  did  not  laud  are  not  equally  so.* 

Throughout  the  territory  of  the  five  cantons'  all  our 


'  Rel.,  1657,  p.  3S.  Probably  a 
spring  near  C'ainillua.  The  color  is 
from  sulphur  in  a  state  of  saspcnsion, 

'  Thuro  iH  one  quite  like  it  six 
leagues  from  (irenobh;. — Vitarlecoix. 
Tbesi-  sulpliur-spriuiis  are  prol>'aHy 
those  on  Oali  Urclinnl  Creek. 

^  Tlu'te  an.  apparently  the  <.'/iaii 
taunuc  gassprings,  near  Fruloiiia 
aud  IVtlund :  N.  Y.  Nat.  Ilist,  Ueol- 


ogy,  iv.  Dist.,  p.  309.  See  Sagari, 
Histoire  du  Canada,  p.  88i) ;  also 
Charlevoix,  Journal,  p.  224. 

'  Journal,  pp.  214,  224.  The  Bay 
of  tlie  Cayugas  may  be  Fort  Hay. 

'  Tlio  French  names  of  the  Five 
Nations  are,  Agnii'gue,  Onneiout, 
Onnontagui'  (pronounced  Onontaki'), 
Ooyogouin  (Oyogouin),  and  Tsonnon- 
touaa. — Cliarkvoix. 


HISTORY  OF  NEW  FRANCE. 


191 


European  fmit-trees  can  be  successfully  cultivated.  Scv-  1646, 
eral  grow  there  without  any  cultivation,  and  others  are  "-^"v^— ' 
found  which  arc  unknown  to  us.  The  forests  abound  in  Fmit-treen. 
chestnut-trees  and  nut-trees  of  two  kinds — one  bearing  a 
very  sweet,  and  the  other  a  very  bitter,'  nut ;  but  by  pass- 
ing this  last  through  the  ashes,  they  extract  a  good  oil 
from  it  by  means  of  the  mill,  fire,  and  water,  in  the  same 
manner  that  we  do  from  the  sunflower.  There  are,  in  sev- 
eral parts,  seedless  cherries,  very  good  to  eat ;'  a  tree  with  a 
flower  resembling  our  white  lilies,'  and  a  fruit  of  the  size  and 
color  of  an  apricot,  but  with  the  taste  and  smell  of  citron.* 
There  is  a  wild  citron  there,  Avhich  is  only  a  plant.  The 
fruit,  as  large  as  a  china-orange,  is  very  agreeable  to  the 
taste  and  very  refreshing.  It  rises  frou  between  two 
heart  shaped  leaves,  but  the  root  of  the  plant  is  poison- 
ous.* There  are  apple-trees,  with  fruit  of  the  shape  of  a 
goose's  egg  and  a  seed  that  is  a  kind  of  beau.  This  fruit 
is  fragrant  and  very  delicate.  It  is  a  dwarf  tree,  requiring 
a  rich,  moist  soil.'  The  Iroquois  obtained  it  from  the 
country  of  the  Eriez.  From  the  same  quarter  they  also 
introduced  a  plant  which  we  call  the  universal  plant,  the 
leaves  of  which,  bruised,  close  all  kinds  of  wounds.  These 
leaves  are  of  the  size  of  a  hand  and  shaped  like  a  fleur-de- 
lis.  The  root  of  this  plant  has  the  odor  of  laurel.'  These 
Indians  have  a  number  of  other  roots,  fit  for  dyeing,  some 
of  which  give  very  brilliant  colors. 


>  Rel.,  1637,  p.  33,  The  pig  nut 
(Carya  glabra).  The  we  means  the 
Indians.  Sugard  (Hist ,  p.  TSn). 

■>  Atoka:  Kol.,  l()o7,  yi>.  11,  83. 
Toca :  Sagnrd,  Dictionnaire,  rerbo 
Plantce  ;  llistoiiedu  Ciinuda,  p.  770. 
Dr.  .John  Toricy  supposes  it  to  be 
a  phyealis — tlie  wintcr-clicrry. 

'ThL'tuli[vtree(lirl(Klondroiitulipi- 
fera).  See  I'lantcs  de  1' Am.  Sept.,  p.  G. 

*  *  ^  Relation  de  la  X.  F.,  l(ir)7,  p. 
83.  Compare  C'hamplain,  Voyages, 
lOl'.i,  ed.  LaverdiiTO,  p.  lil  and  noto  ; 
«1.  1032,  p.  2-18 ;   La  lloutau,  Me- 


moires  derAmiriqueSppteptrionale, 
ii.,  p.  Ol.  According  to  Dr.  Torrey, 
these  must  be  the  [lodophyllum  \>el- 
tatum  (mandraki',  m<ii/-t'jiph').  It  ia 
much  used  by  some  scliools  as  a  sub- 
stitute lor  nierciiry.  Sre  Coi'S  Con- 
centrated Organic  Mrdicines,  |).  225. 

'  I'robably  the  pawpaw  (asiniina 
triloba),  calh-d  by  tlio  Canadian 
French  asiminier  or  asmiuier.  See 
Dumont,  Memoires  de  la  Ijoulsiane. 

'  Uel.,  l(i.)7,  p.  33,  Dr  Torrey  is 
accjuainted  witli  no  native  ))lunl  to 
which  the  description  cnrru^ponds. 


192 


iiisToiir  OF  NEW  fuancl;. 


1646.         Besides  rattlosnakca,  wliicli  are  found  among  the  Iro- 
quois, as  in  all  the  uioie  southerly  provinces  of  North 


Aninmla 
mill  diii- 
inonclH. 


■•  J 


America,  there  is  a  black-ynako,  Avhich  runs  up  trees,  and 
is  not  venomous.  This  reptile  has  a  mortal  enemy,  im- 
worthy  aj)parently  of  him,  but  nevertheless  waging  a  cruel 
war  upon  him.  It  is  a  little  bird,  which  pounces  upon 
him  as  soon  as  it  perceives  him  and  with  one  blow  of  its 
beak  lays  him  dead.'  The  asps  of  these  cantons  are  much 
longer  than  ours.  Tigers  are  found  there,  of  a  light  gray, 
not  striped.  They  have  a  very  long  tail,  and  pursue  the 
porcupines.'  The  Iroquois  kill  them  on  the  trees  more 
frequently  than  on  the  gi'ound.  They  are  good  eating, 
even  in  the  opinion  of  the  French,  who  esteem  the  flesh 
as  equal  to  mutton.  All  have  a  very  fine  hair,  in  some 
ases  reddish  in  color,  and  their  skins  are  very  good  fur. 
But  the  finest  peltry  of  this  country  is  the  skin  of  the 
black-squirrel.'  This  animal  is  as  large  as  a  three  months* 
kitten,  very  lively,  gentle,  and  easily  tamed.  Of  this  skin 
the  Iroquois  make  robes,  for  which  they  command  seven 
or  eight  dollars  apiece.  The  pigeons  are  there,  as  else- 
where, birds  of  passage.  A  missionary  observed,  in  an 
Iroquois  canton,  that  every  morning,  from  six  o'clock  till 
eleven,  the  air  above  a  (nrgo  in  the  river,  about  a  quarter 
of  a  league  wide,  was  seen  to  be  completely  darkened  by 
the  number  of  these  birds ;  that  afterwards  they  all  de- 
scended to  bathe  in  a  large  jiond  nf^'^"  by,  and  then  disap- 
peared. He  adds,  that  only  the  males  are  then  seen,  but 
that  the  females  come  in  the  afternoon  to  go  through  the 
same  manoeuvre.  Finally,  there  are  in  the  Iroquois  coun- 
try stones  containing  diamonds,  some  all  ready  cut,  and 
sometimes  valuable ' 

I  now  return  to  the  new  acts  of  hostility,  which  soon 


'  Tlio   kingbird   (tyrannus   intre-  color)  .■  N.  Y.  Nat.  Hist.,  Zoology,  1,, 

pidus),   of  wliidi   such   storioH  are  p.  47. 

Btill  t!)ld  ;  N.  Y.  Nal.  Mist.,  ZiH)logy,        '  Black-squiTol    (sciurue    nigcr): 

i.,  p.  117.  N.  Y.  Nut.  Hist.,  Zoology,  i.,  p.  00 . 

"  Tlio  Amuricdu  pautbcr  (fulls  con-        *  Charlovoix,  Juuruol,  p.  171 


HTSTORT  OP  NEW  FRANCE. 


193 


rekindled  a  fire  wliieli  had  cost  so  much  to  extinguish,  or     1646. 
rather  wliich  had  only  been  covered  nj)  with  aslics.  ^^-y^-' 

The  Iroquois  were  the  aggressors.     A  band   of  their    The  Iro- 
braves  approached  a  Huron  village,  with  a  view  of  carry-  Tnunm'' 
ing  off  prisoners.      Though  they   found   them   on   their     ^'""««- 
guard,  they  were  reluctant  to  retire  without  effecting  any 
thing.     They  concealed  themselves  in  a  wood,  and  there 
passed  the  night,  during  which  a  Huron,  posted  in  a  kind 
of  redoubt,  kept  up  a  great  noise  to  show  that  he  was  not 
asleep.     Towards  daybreak  he  ceased  hia  clamor.     Two 
Iroquois  immediately  left  the  band,  and  gliding  along  to 
the  foot  of  the  palisade,  remained  some  time  listening. 
Not  hearing  a  sound,  one  of  the  two  chmbed  into  the  re- 
doubt, and  finding  two  men  there  sound  asleep,  toma- 
hawked one,  scalped  the  other,  and  escaped.' 

The  former  died  on  the  spot.  The  cries  of  the  second  Exploit  of 
roused  the  whole  village."  On  running  up,  they  found  one  "'rons!"' 
of  the  two  men  dead;  the  other  bleeding  to  death.  The 
young  men  instantly  took  the  field,  and  long  followed  the 
enemy's  trail ;  but  he  had  too  much  of  a  start,  and  they 
could  not  overtake  him.  The  Hurons  soon  had  their 
revenge.  Three  warriors  took  the  war-path,  and  after 
twenty  days'  march  reached  a  Seneca  village.  It  was 
night,  all  the  cabins  were  closed,  and  the  inhabitants 
buried  in  sleep.  Our  adventurers  cut  through  the  side  of 
a  cabin  and  entered,  without  awakening  any  one.  They 
then  ht  a  light,  and  by  its  aid  each  chose  a  man  whom  he 
killed  and  scalped.  They  then  set  fire  to  the  cabin  and 
escaped.  They  were  pursued,  but  to  no  purj)ose,  for  they 
brought  safely  back  to  their  village  the  trophies  of  their 
victory." 

The  missionaries  beheld  with  sorrow  these  marks  of  a 
close  of  the  peace.     So  well  had  they  profited  by  its  brief 


'  Relation  de  la  NrmvoUo  Franco, 
1040,  1).  55.  It  must  bavu  occurred 
in  104.5. 

Vol..  11—13 


'  St.  Joseph's. 

^  Relation  de  la  Nouvello  France, 
1040,  p.  55. 


194 


HISTORY  OF  NEW  FRANCE 


1646.     ditration,  that  Christianity  might  ah-oady  be  regarded  as 
"  ^  »    '  '  the  prevailing  religion  among  the  Hurons.      The  gospel 
PrnLTCHs  of  began  to  be  known,  too,  among  several  other  tribes,  for 
dii'ri itftho  whieh  the}'  Mere  indebted  chieHy  to  tlie  Hurons  thcm- 
^^^'"''     selves.     The  Indians  near  Quebec  and  Montreal  showed 
no   less   zeal.     Not   a   year   passed  without  giving  their 
pastors  new  occasions  for  chanting  the  praises  of  God  in 
some  tongue  in  which  Hi    Holy  Name  had  never  yet  been 
uttered  ;  but  the  Iroquois  soon  disturbed  this  tranquillity, 
so  necessary  to  the  propagation  of  the  Faitli  and  the  con- 
solidation of  the  colony,  Avhich,  deprived  of  all  relief,  was 
sunk  in  inaction.' 
Fatiier        It  was  not  long  before  Father  Jogues  lost  faith  in  the 
tnrniiiL'to  good  intentions  in  which  he  had  supposed  the  Iroquois 
*M°is™u    to   be.      Even   before   putting   himself  in   the    hands   of 
*'*"by  hiT*^  those  Avho  were  to  take  him  to  the  town  intended  as  his 
guides,    residence,  either  from  a  presentiment,  or  from  a  conjec- 
ture based  on  new  and  surer  information  than  had  pre- 
viously arrived,  the  missionary,  in  his  last  farewells  to  his 
friends  at  Quebec,  and  by  letter  to  those  in  France,  em- 
plojed  the  expressions  of  a  man  who  expected  to  go  to 
the  Mohawks,  not  to  convert  them,  but  with  a  kind  of  as- 
surance that  he  would  speedily  terminate  his  sacrifice  there. 
He  soon  had  no  doubtful  proof.'    He  had  scarcely  passed 
Three  Rivers  when  he  beheld  himself  deserted  by  all  his 
guides.    He  remained  alone  with  a  young  Frenchman 
named  la  Lande,  perfectly  at  a  loss  how  to  continue  his 
journey.' 

Any  one  but  him  would  have  retraced  his  steps,  and  this 
prudence  seemed  even  to  demand  ;  but  the  prudence  of 
the  saints  is  ».ot  guided  by  ordinary  rules,  and  is  at  leati 
to  be  respected.  Convinced  as  the  servant  of  God  was 
that  he  Was  to  water  with  his  blood  a  land  that  would 
produce  saints,  he  was  not  a  man  to  recoil  at  the  moment 


'  Relations  de  la  Nouvelle  France, 
.344,  1U45,  lli4G. 
'  Ibo  et  uou  rudibo.  See  his  letter : 


Relation   de    la   Nouvelle   France, 
1047,  p.  37. 
'  Creuxius,  Hist.  Gonad.,  p.  458. 


HISTORY  OP  NEW  FRANCE. 


195 


when  he  beliold  all  preparing  for  the  accomplishment  of 
his  desires.  Ho  pursued  his  way,  and  Avith  much  hard- 
ship reached  a  Mohawk  village,  where  he  was  received, 
with  little  excei)tion,  as  though  he  had  been  a  prisoner  of 
war.  He  and  his  companion  were  stripped  almost  naked  ; 
nor  were  blows  from  fist  or  club  spared.' 

The  reason  for  this  strange  change  was  never  well 
known.  Two  letters  from  New  Netherland— one  written 
by  the  governor  himself  to  Mr.  de  Montmagny,  the  other 
by  a  private  individual  to  Sieur  Bourdon,  Fi.ther  Jogues' 
companion  the  preceding  year— after  giving  some  details 
of  the  holy  mis.sionary's  death,  ascribe  it  to  the  conviction 
in  which  the  Mohawks  were,  that  he  had  left  the  devil  in 
their  country.'  The  letter  to  the  Sieur  Bourdon  added, 
that  this  perfidy  was  exclusively  the  work  of  the  Bear 
tribe— the  Wolf  and  Tortoise  having  done  all  in  their 
power  to  save  the  lives  of  the  two  Frenchmen,  even  to 
telling  the  Bear  :  "  Kill  us,  rather  than  thus  massacre  men 
who  have  done  us  no  harm,  and  come  among  us  on  the 
faith  of  a  treaty.""  Both  letters  warned  the  French  gov- 
ernor that  the  Iroquois  designed  to  take  him  by  surprise, 
and  that  four  hundred  men  were  on  the  point  of  setting 
out  to  strike  simultaneously  at  the  French  colony. 

There  is  then  every  Hkelihood  that  this  nation  had  con- 
c.'ivcd  the  same  distrust  of  the  gospel  laborers  as  had 
been  at  first  entertained  by  the  Huroiis  ;  and  what  sus- 
tains this  conjecture  is  the  fact,  that  diseases  having  made 
great  ravages  that  year  in  the  Mohawk  canton,  and  worms 
having  destroyed  almost  all  their  grain,  the  mob  were 
easily  convinced  that  these  misfortunes  resulted  from  a 
spell  which  Father  Jogues  had  left  them  in  his  box. 
Some  pagan  Hurons  who  had  settled  in  this  canton, 


1646. 


'  Letter  of  .Inn  linbadic,  in  MS. 
Mcmoirog  sur  les  Vertus,  iind  in  Re- 
lation, l(i47,  I).  ;J8. 

"  Rfltttion  O.s  In  Nouvelle  Franco, 
1647,  p.  37,    A  Bworn  copy  of  tlie 


original  letters  is  preserved  in  the 
Memoires  sur  les  Vertus,  etc  :  Creux- 
iu8,  Ilistorin  Canadensis,  p.  4.59. 

'  Kelatiou  de  la  Nouvollo  France, 
1647,  p.  38. 


What 
tnriic-,1  the 
SIiiliMwks 

liim. 


196 


HISTORY   OF  NEW  FRANCE. 


i.'t 


1646.  bringing  with  them  their  pristine  prejudices  against  the 
Christian  religion,  did  not  let  so  fine  an  occasion  pass 
for  communicating  them  to  the  Iroquois.  They  first 
seized  this,  and  told  the  Mohawks  that  the  disasters  of 
which  they  complained  began  precisely  at  the  time  when 
they  solicited  missionaries. 

His  death.  Be  that  as  it  may,  the  apostolic  man,  seeing  himself 
welcomed  in  the  manner  that  I  have  described,  asked 
whether  any  thing  had  happened  since  his  departure  to 
predispose  the  nation  against  him.  The  only  reply  made 
him  was,  that  he,  with  his  companion,  was  condemned  to 
death  ;  yet  that  they  should  not  be  burned,  but  toma- 
hawked, and  their  heads  set  up  on  the  palisades,  that  they 
might  be  recognized  by  any  of  the  French  who  might 
pass  by  the  village.  In  vain  did  the  servant  of  God  rep- 
resent to  them  the  unworthy  character  of  such  a  course  ; 
the  confidence  with  which  he  had  come  to  put  himself  into 
their  hands  ;  their  invitations  given  to  induce  him  to 
come  and  live  ap^oug  them ;  their  word  so  solemnly 
pledged  to  him  ;  the  conduct  of  the  French  towards  them ; 
their  treaties,  their  oaths,  and  the  little  they  had  to  gain 
by  the  war  into  which  they  were  about  to  plunge  anew. 
A  fearful,  gloomy  silence  showed  him  that  he  spoke  in 
vain.  He  accordingly  thought  only  of  preparing  for 
death,  and  fitting  for  it  the  young  man  who  had  so  faith- 
fully clung  to  him. 

October  17.  During  the  whole  of  the  ensuing  day,  the  17th  of  Oc- 
tober, they  said  not  a  word  to  him  till  evening.  Then  a 
Huron  came  to  conduct  Father  Jogues  to  his  cabin,  under 
the  pretext  of  giving  him  food ;  for  neither  he  nor  his 
companion  had  as  yet  tasted  any  thing  that  day.  The 
missionary  followed  the  Huron  ;  and  as  he  was  entering 
his  cabin,  an  Iroquois,  hidden  behind  the  door,  dealt  him  a 
blow  with  his  tomahawk  on  the  head,  and  laid  him  dead 
at  his  feet.     La  Lande  met  the  same  fate  a  moment  after.' 


'  Lrlnndc,  a  native  of  DiL'ppe,  was    Bri'ssani,  Breve  Relatione,  p.  105; 
killed  the  next  day :  Memoire^,  MS. ;    Relation  de  la  Nouv.  France,  1U48, 


niRTOnv  OF  NEW  FRANCE. 


197 


Their  hoads  were  then  cut  off  and  set  up  on  the  palisade,     1646. 
and  tlicir  bodies  thrown  into  the  river.'  ^— y-^ 

Such  was  the  end  of  a  man  whose  virtues  and  courage  romcrsion 
the  Iroquois  themselves,  years  after,  could  not  weary  in  °'  alW".'"' 
admiring.  His  murderer  fell,  the  next  year,  into  the 
hands  of  the  French,  who  delivered  him  to  the  Algon- 
quins.  The  latter  burned  liim ;  but  apparently  the  holy 
martyr  did  not  abandon  him  in  his  lust  moments,  for  he 
died  a  Christian.'  Many  favors  obtained  by  tlie  interces- 
sion of  Father  Jogucs  have  been  made  public,  and  we 
may  affirm  that  the  last  ^  itury  gave  to  the  Church  few 
saints  of  a  more  marked  character  ;  but  I  leave  the  detail 
of  these  marvels  to  those  who  shall  undertake  to  write 
his  life.' 

The  Mohawks  thus  violating  the  law  of  nations,  ex-    ThoMo- 
pccted  to  see  all  the  nations  unite  to  make  war  on  them,  ''.""w  u™' 
and  resolved  to  anticipate  them.     They  took  the  field  in       *"''• 
every  direction,  before  news  could  S2)read  of  what  they 
had  done  on  the  Mohawk.     One  of  their  jjarties  met  Pies- 
karet  alone,  but  durst  not  attack  him,  convinced  that  he 
would  have  killed  half  their  number,  as  he  had  done  on 


p.  6.  Charlevoix  liere  gives  October 
17  as  the  date ;  but  Brossani,  Tan- 
ner, and  Aleganibe.  tlio  Pelation  of 
1640-7  (i).  ii),  and  the  MS.  Mi;muiros 
touchant  les  Vortus,  etc.,  the  18th. 

'  I.saac  JogiK's  was  born  at  Or- 
leans, January  10,  11)07,  and  entered 
the  Society  of  Jesus  at  Rouen,  in 
October,  1021.  He  sought  the  Etlii- 
opian  niiswion,  but  on  his  ordina- 
tior.  in  10!5().  ho  was  sent  to  Canada. 
After  a  short  stay  at  Miscou  and 
Quebec,  he  proceeded  to  the  Huron 
country,  and  labored  the:  >  till,  as 
stated  in  the  text,  he  came  down  to 
Quebec  in  K'Ai.  His  subsequent 
suflFerings  and  death  are  related  in 
the  text.  His  life  is  guxn  in  Ale- 
ganibe, Mortes  Iliustres,  p.  CIO : 
Tanner,  Societas  Militons,  p.  511  ; 


Bressani,  Breve  Relatione,  pp.  77- 
105  ;  the  Relations  de  la  Nouvelle 
France,  especially  1047,  p.  IVJ  and 
the  manuscript  of  1U53,  Menioires 
sur  les  Venus  des  Peres  de  Noiie, 
Jogues,  Daniel,  Brebeuf,  Lalemant, 
Garnier,  et  Chabanel ;  Buteux, 
Narre  de  la  prise  du  P.  Jogues. 
Father  Felix  Martin  has  written  his 
life  at  length.  His  family  preserve 
his  ijortrait  and  letters,  and  the  for- 
mer is  used  in  this  work.  Th(!  tid- 
ings of  his  death  reached  Canada  in 
June,  1047 :  Lalemant,  Journal,  June 
4,  1047. 

■^  Relation  de  la  Nouvelle  France, 
1047,  p.  73.  He  was  put  to  death  in 
October,  1047. 

^  Relation,  10r)0,  p.  45  ;  Creuxius, 
Historia  Canadensis,  p.  499. 


u 


198 


niSTORY  OF  NEW  FRANCR 


1646.  Rc-oral  previous  occnsions.  Tliey  were  not  ashamed  to 
^"■'■Y'""^  meet  him  as  a  frieml,  and,  wliih^  ho  mistruRtcd  nothing, 
stal)  him  from  bcshind.'  Others  loarning  whore  several 
Christian  Indians  wore  gatliercd  to  hunt,  fi'U  suddenly  on 
them,  killed  some,  carried  oft'  others  as  prisoners — wreak- 
ing the  most  unheard-of  cruelties  on  them. 

Hatred  of  Christianity  thcnepforward  redoubled  the 
rage  of  these  savages,  and  made  the  faithful  who  fell  into 
their  hands  genuine  martyrs."  Neither  age  nor  sex  any 
longer  preserved  them  from  the  stroke,  as  before ;  and  we 
are  assured  that  on  the  occasion  of  which  I  am  speaking 
they  crucified  a  child  three  years  old,  and  let  it  expire  in 
torments — a  torture  hitherto  unheard  of  among  these  na- 
tions, and  to  bo  ascribed  only  to  the  rago  which  filled 
their  hearts  against  the  religion  proclaimed  to  them  of  a 
God  who  died  on  the  cross.'  The  French  received  the 
first  tidings  of  these  hostilities  from  some  Algonquin 
women,  who  had  escaped  from  the  hands  of  their  tor- 
turers by  resolution  and  coui'age  that  would  have  elicited 
admiration  in  the  bravest  of  men.'  The  history  of  one  of 
these  deserves  to  be  known. 
Singuiiir        She  had  been  for  ten  days  a  prisoner  in  a  Mohawk  vil- 

escapc  of  iin  .      . 

Aitronqiiiu  lage,  and  was  as  yet  in  ignorance  of  her  final  doom.  She 
had,  however,  more  ground  for  fear  than  for  hope  ;  be 
cause  she  had  been  stripjied  totally  naked  on  entering  the 
village,  and  had  been  unable  to  obtain  the  least  thing  to 
cover  herself.  One  night,  while  lying  as  usual  in  a  cabin, 
bound  hand  and  foot  with  cords  which  were  made  fast  to 
as  many  stakes,  and  sui-rounded  by  Indians  who  lay  on 
the  cords,  she  perceived  that  they  were  all  soimd  asleep. 


fpiin  tlio 
Iroquois. 


'  Relation  do  la  Nouvelle  France, 
104",  p.  47  ;  Creuxius,  Historia  Cn- 
nadi-nsis,  p.  4G5 ;  De  la  Potherio, 
Histoiro  de  rAmi'dquo  Mcridinnnlo, 
i..  ]).  1)04  ;  C'olden,  History  of  the 
Five  Nations  (N.  Y.,  1737),  p.  18  ; 
La'.cmant,  Journal,  March  122,  1047. 

'  See  Benedict  XIV.,  De  Canoniza- 


tionp  ;  Allocution  of  Pope  PiuH  VI. 
on  the  death  of  Louis  XVI.,  as  to 
what  constitutes  martyrdom. 

^  Creuxius,  Historia  Canadensis, 
p.  408  ;  Relation,  1047.  p.  16. 

*  Creuxius,  Historia  Canadonsia, 
p.  470 ;  Relation  de  la  Nouvelle 
France,  1647,  p.  8. 


i  I  I 


HISTORY   OF   NEW   FRANCE. 


lUD 


She  immediately  endeavored  to  extricate  one  hand,  and 
succeeding  in  this,  without  much  difficulty  unboiuid  hor- 
celf  completely.' 

On  this,  she  rose,  went  softly  to  the  cabin-door,  took  a 
hatchi^t,  and  brained  the  one  wlio  lay  nuidiest  to  her  hand. 
She  then  spranj^  to  a  hollow  tree,  large  enough  to  conceal 
her  entirely,  and  which  she  had  already  observed  quite 
near  the  cabin.  The  noise  made  by  the  dying  man  soon 
roused  the  whole  village;  and  a?,  no  doubt  was  enter- 
tained of  their  prisoner's  flight,  ail  the  young  men  started 
in  pursuit.  All  this  she  marked  from  her  shelter,  and  she 
perceived  that  her  pur-suers  all  took  one  direction,  and 
that  the  rest  had  returned  to  their  cabins,  leaving  no  one 
near  her  tree.  She  immediately  stole  out,  and  taking  just 
the  opposite  direction  from  that  of  the  braves,  she  reached 
the  woods  undiscovered. 

No  one  thought  of  takuig  that  direction  all  that  night ; 
but  when  day  came,  her  trail  was  discovered  and  followed. 
The  start  she  had  gained  gave  her  two  days  over  her 
enemies.  On  the  third  day  she  heard  a  noise.  Being  on 
the  bfink  of  a  lake,  she  waded  in  up  to  her  neck ;  and 
the  moment  she  perceived  the  Mohawks,  she  plunged 
entirely  under,  behmd  some  flags,  under  cover  of  which 
she  put  her  head  above  water  occasionally,  to  breathe 
and  watch.  She  saw  her  pursuers,  after  a  careful  scrutiny 
all  around,  retrace  their  steps.  She  let  them  get  to  some 
distance ;  then  she  crossed  the  marsh  and  continued  her 
route. 

She  travelled  thirty-five  days,  living  solely  on  roots  and 
hemes.  At  last  she  struck  the  St.  Lawrence,  a  little 
below  St.  Peter's  Lake  ;  and  not  daring  to  remain  in  the 
neighborhood  of  the  River  Sorel,  for  fear  of  being  sur- 
prised by  some  Loquois  war-party,  she  hastily  made  a 
sort  of  raft  to  cross  the  river.  As  she  approached  Three 
Kivers,  without  well  knowing  where  she  was,  she  diacov- 


1646. 


'  CreuxiuB,  Hiatoria  Canadensis,  p.  477 ;  Relation,  1647,  p.  15. 


200 


HISTORY  OF  NEW  FRANCE. 


1646. 


■Who  were 

the  Abiiiia- 

quis. 


crod  a  canoo,  and  foariiif^  lost  it  iiiif,'ht  be  an  Iroquois,  she 
pliiiif^L'd  into  tlio  drptiis  of  the  woods,  wiioro  hIio  re  niained 
till  suiist't.  Slio  tlu'n  approaclu'd  tiu'  river  af,'aiu,  and  a 
nioniciit  after  junccivt'd  tho  fort  of  Throe  Kivers. 

Almost  at  the  same  tinio  she  was  discovered  by  some 
Hurons,  whom  sho  recogni/od.  Sho  immediately  hid  her- 
self behind  a  bush,  and  cried  t)ut  to  them  that  sho  was  not 
in  a  atato  to  show  herself  deccntl}*,  and  begge^  them  to 
give  her  some  covering.  They  threw  her  a  robe,  and 
when  she  had  wrapped  it  around  her,  she  came  up  and 
was  brought  to  the  fort.  Here  the  account  she  gave  of 
her  adventures  was  with  diflicnlty  credited  ;  but  so  many 
similar  examples  occurred  subsequently,  that  at  last 
nothing  of  the  kind  any  longer  excited  surjjrise.  Men 
comprehended,  at  least,  that  fear  of  death  or  torture  can 
make  the  feeblest  undcrt;  ke  and  accomi)lish  what  tho 
most  hardy  would  not,  under  other  circumstances,  think 
of  attempting." 

While  the  Iroquois  by  their  perfidy  cast  aside  the  occa- 
sion oflercd  them  by  Heaven  of  sharing  in  its  graces,  and 
renewed  their  ravages  against  our  allies  and  their  hostil- 
ities in  the  French  colony,  another  nation — which  yields 
to  no  other  on  this  continent  in  valor,  which  surpasses  all 
in  mildness  and  docility,  and  which  was  then  quite  popu- 
lous— came  forward  spontaneously  to  swell  the  fold  of 
Indian  believers,  and  by  its  conversion  to  Christianity  be- 
came a  barrier  for  New  France  which  all  its  enemies  nc  /er 
could  force." 

These  were  the  Abcnaquis.  I  have  elsewhere  remarked 
that  this  people  inhabited  the  southern  part  of  Now 
France,  which  extends  from  Penobscot  to  New  England, 
and  that  the  portion  of  the  nation  living  in  the  vicinity  of 
the  Kennebec  were  called    Canibas.'      The    subsequent 


'  1    ■ 


'  Relation  de  la  Nouvelle  France,  Jfaurnult,  Hist,  dcs  Abt'n.,  p.  11. 

1647,  p.  10  ;  Crouxius,  Historia  Ca-  *  Vol.  I.,  p.  204.    For  the  moaning 

nadensis,  p.  4T!).  of  Abrnaqui,  see  Hist.  Mag.,  iv.,  p. 

"  KelutioB  do  la  N.  F.,  1647,  p.  61 ;  180 ;  VetromUe'B  Abnakie,  p.  50. 


;  f 


HISTORY  OF  NEW  IHANCE. 


201 


necessity  of  clnfomliiij,'  thomaolvuH  iigiiiiiHt  the  EngliHh  and  i6f6. 
thoir  allies  luuiiig  foived  tliein  to  unite  with  the  Eto-  "-^v"^ 
cLcniinH  or  Miilocitos,  living  mar  the  Penobscot,  anil  the 
Micniiic's  or  Souriciuois,  the  native  inhiibituntH  of  Acmlia 
and  all  the  eastern  coast  of  Canada,  the  close  union 
formed  between  thes(!  three  nations,  their  attachment  to 
our  inttrests  and  to  the  Christian  religion,  and  striking 
correspondtaice  between  their  dialects,  have  quite  com- 
monly led  to  include  them  all  under  the  general  name  of 
Abennqui  nations ;  and  I  shall  hereafter  conform  to  this 
usage,  where  it  is  not  necessary  to  distinguish  one  of 
these  tribes  from  another.' 

For  some  time  the  Canibas  had  frequented  Sylleri,  and  'Diey  auk 
some  were  even  baptized  there.'  On  their  return  homo  u"mi"Hiou- 
they  inspired  thoir  countrymen  with  the  desire  of  imitat- 
ing them,  and  the  whole  nation  sent  to  the  governor- 
general  and  the  superior  of  the  Jesuits  to  solicit  a  mis- 
Bionary.  A  people  with  a  reputation  for  bravery,  and 
able  by  its  position  between  us  and  the  English  to  bo  of 
great  service  to  us  in  case  of  a  rupture  with  New  Eng- 
land, was  an  acquisition  not  to  be  neglected.  The  depu- 
ties were  very  well  received  at  Quebec,  and  Father 
Gabriel  Dreuillettes  set  out  with  them  iu  the  latter  part 
of  August,  1G16.' 


ury, 


'  As  to  tlipso  tribes,  see  the  Re- 
Intions  do  lix  Nouvello  Franco, 
for  1U37,  1041),  l(i41,  KilJ,  1(144, 
1010,  1017,  lO.-.O  to  UI.V.' ,  1000  to 
10fi4  ;  Li'ttros  Eilifiautcs  ;  Lcttora 
of  F.  l{;il("  1111(1  F.  do  la  Clinesi!. 
^V^liamMm's  Mninc,  i.,  ji.  40;J.  His- 
toric dcs  Almakis  jiar  rAbl)r  J.  A. 
Mauraiilt,  Snicl,  ISOIi.  Halo's  dic- 
tionary is  tin-  irrcat  treasury  fur  tlie 
Abnaki  lani,niiin;,..  For  the  Micniac 
hioroi^Iypliics  and  their  origin,  sco 
Historical  Man-a/.in.-,  v.,  p.  'iS\)  ;  I'ro- 
naca  dello  Mi^sioni  Franci'scani, 
Rome,  vol.  iii ,  p.  40  ;  Kaiider'a  Mic- 
mac  I'rayor-Uook,  Vienna. 


'  A  chief  was  baptized  at  Siilery  in 
1043  ;  C'reuxiiis,  Hist.  Canadensis,  p. 
y?'-3.  Canibesinnoaks  means  "  Tliosu 
dwellingneartiie  Lakes: "  Maiiriiult, 
Hist,  des  Abnakis. 

^  1  iio  Abnaki  mission,  and  tliat  of 
tlie  Mohawks  under  Fatlier  Jollies, 
wiro  botli  decided  upon  on  .\piil 
20,  1(M(;.  Tlio  AlMiaki  Mission 
was  called  that  of  tlie  Assumption. 
Fatlier  DniiUettes  tivt  out,  Auj^ust 
2!t,  witli  two  Indian  canoes,  under 
Claude,  a  good  Christian  :  Journal 
of  tho  Superior  (MS);  Helation 
do  la  Nouvelh'  Franco,  1017,  \).  51 ; 
Creuxlus,  Ilistoria  Canadensis.p.  483. 


202 


HISTORY  OF  NKW  FIIANCE. 


1646.  His  jonruoy  wfts  long  aiul  painful.'  Tlio  Alji'iiiiquiH,  as 
*"*"!'''"'  well  ftM  tlit'ii'  iitinlilxMH,  ai(^  iiuliilint.  We  liavo  m'VtT  h\u;- 
Th«ir  ciiiir-  coi'iK'd  ill  iiuliiciii^  tli<Mii  to  cullivalc  tlio  ground,  and  tiicy 
liavo  even  U'hs  finocaHt  for  tlu!  fuluro  tlian  otlior  Indians. 
The  conHcqucni^o  is,  that  fow  nioro  friMiuontly  Huffcr  from 
hunger  and  a  want  of  tho  nu'iuHt  luH'UHHariitH  of  lifo.  Cut 
th«ir  alViction  for  their  niiHsionarios,  their  good  diKjiosi- 
tion,  tlieir  sincere  attaeliinent  to  the  rreneli,  tho  essential 
Bervict'H  which  they  have  rendered  to  New  France  (which 
would  perhaps  not  now  exist  had  it  not  liad  these  Indians 
to  oppose  to  the  Irocjuois  and  English),  and  Htill  more 
their  unshaken  constancy  in  tho  I'aith,  have  greatly 
lightened  foi  the  evangelical  laborers  tho  rigors  of  this 
painful  mission. 
Fntiior  On  tlie  banks  of  tho  Kennoboc,  Father  DreuiHettes 
wckdino.l  lounu  some  tapuclim  lathers,  wlio  liatl  a  liospice  tliero. 
Csmicliins,  Tlii'se  religiotis  had  a  house  also  at  Pentagoet,  and  acted 
as  chaplains,  not  only  to  tho  French  settled  on  all  that 
coast  and  that  of  Acadia,  but  also  to  those  whom  trade 
allured  thither.  They  receivotl  the  Jesuit  missionary  with 
great  joy  and  all  possible  cordiality.  They  had  long 
desired  to  see  missions  establisli((l  among  tho  Indians  ol 
those  (pnirters,  whom  they  deemed  very  fit  for  the  King- 
dom of  Ciod  ;  and  they  had  even  tlu^mselvcs  entertained 
the  idea  of  visiting  Quebec,  to  induce  tho  Fathers  of  the 
Society  not  to  leave  any  longer  untilled  a  so  1  so  well  pre- 
pared to  receive  the  seeds  of  tho  Faith." 

Father  DreuiHettes  Fpent  the  whole  winter  and  spring 
in  visiting  tho  difl'erent  towns  of  that  country,  baptized 
many  children  and  some  dying  adults,  finding  in  all  a 
great  desire  for  religious  instruction.     Even  medicine-men 


'  He  apparently  went  uptheChau-  Ignatius,  of  Paris)  welcomed  him  at 

diere,  ami  then  made  a  portago  to  first,  tluy  were  forced,  apparently, 

the  Kennel)ec.  by  tlu^  I'lsliing  t'ompniiies,  to  writo 

"  As  to  the  Capuchin  miseinns,  sen  to  Quebec  and  asl\  tlint  he  itliould 

Hittorical  Magazine,  vols.  viii.  and  not    return  :    Journal    of    the   Su- 

ix.    Though  the  Superior  (Father  perlor. 


niSTOIa    OF   NKW   FUANCR. 


'2():{ 


(lofliirod  tlu'ium-lvcH  hin  disciplt's,  niul  ImrntMl  all  tl'iil  tiny      \()^(t. 
IiikI  UKod  in  tlu-ir  (livinutioiiH.'     Tiir   liurvcHt  MCfiiifil  to  "-"f"^^ 
him  HO  ripo  and  id)Uiidiint  that,  wiim  tho  roads  hccaino  llin  flr»t  lu- 
liassalilc,  ho  felt  it  iiin  duty  t«)  rt'tuin  to  (^iu'lifo,  to  lay  tiin  aih'hi*. 
luifoi't!  luH  Hiiiu'i-inr  tho  condition  in  ^'hich  ho  fo\nid  atVairn      ''"'  ' 
anion^^  tho  Ahiiwuiui  nations.'     On  his  report  stops  woro 
taken  to  found  u  mission,  whicli  ]>ron>is('d  tho  sanio  fruits 
of  bonudiction  as  wore  already  yatliorod  in  tho  most  tlour- 
ishiuf,',  and  where  the  niissionarios  hoped  to  labor  with 
great  huccohh,  as  there  was  nothing  to  be  dreaded  from 
the  IrcMiuois  there.' 

The  affairs  of  Now  Franco  were  in  this  state,  when  tho    KoohII  of 
Chevalier  do  Moutmagny  received  orders  to  resign  his    Mdntnift. 
government  to  Mr.  d'Ailleboust,  who  had  been  for  some      ''"^" 
time  in  conunand   at  Thnio   llivors,   and    to    return    to 
France.*     Tho  disobedienoo  of  the  Connuandor  do  Poind, 
governor-general  in  tho  West  Indies — who  had  refused  to 
receive  a  successor  sent  by  the  king,  maintained  himself 
in  his  ])ost  in  spite  of  tho  court,  and  gave  uu  example  of 
rebellion  which  some  minor  governors  began  to  follow — 
induced  tho  king's  council   to  adopt  a  resolution  not  to 
leave  cohjnial  gtrvernors  in   oftico   for  more  than  threo 
years,  for  fear  that  they  should  gi'ow  to  regard  their 
domain   as   a   country  where    they  had   too  long   boon 
masters. 

Cieuoral  laws  have  their  objections,  and  it  is  unfortu- 
nate to  bo  j)laced  in  circumstances  where  it  is  impossible 
to  remedy  by  necessary  exceptions  their  action,  when 
prejudicial  to  tho  common  good.  A  well-selected  governor 
cannot  bo  left  too  long  at  tho  head  of  a  new  colony.     One 


'  Relation  (In  la  Nouvfllc  France, 
1047,  p.  53  ;  CreuxiuH,  Ilistoria  C'u- 
nadcnsiH,  \>.  4S4. 

'  IIo  rfai'hcil  Sillcry,  Juno  10 
(Journal  of  the  9u|icri(ir) — altlii)iij;li 
tho  Helation  di-  lu  NouvcUc  Fruiicc, 
1647,  p.  50,  Huye  15tli — after  funning 
a  friendship  with  John  Wiiialow  : 


Helation  do  la  Nouvello  Franco,  1047, 
p.  50. 

'  Father  Druilli'ttes  was  not  wont 
back,  in  conBoqiionce  of  loiters  from 
tliii  Capuchins  :  Journal  of  tho  fciu- 
perior.  July  !(-4,  1047. 

*  The  news  a\ine  first  in  the  fall 
of  1047.    Sec  nolo,  p.  305. 


UOl 


IIIHI'OliV    (M-    NKW    rU,\NfK 


(: 


1646.  t)ov()i<l  of  111!'  IiiIimiIh  it>i|iiiiiMl  for  a  ptiMi  of  llii«  iin|ioi'- 
^"'~>'~"  limc(>,  or  willi  'iiinlilicn  (IcIiiiiH'iilnl  lo  (lio  Hcivicp  of  Imm 
piiiit'c,  (')iimol  ln>  I('1iiov(mI  (00  hooii  :  luil  t>V('('|t|  in  rauo  <if 
liiiiilu'il  iiu'iipiu'il V  hikI  M«'ll-grouii(li>(l  friiiH  of  niinrmiilin'l, 
itiilliing  Clin  linppi'n  nior(>  falnl  (o  (Im>  piojircHu  of  n  colony 
wliicli  iH  nol  well  cHliiMiMlicd  llnin  llic  frc(|ncMl  cli(mf»o 
of  f^ovcrnoiM ;  iiiiiMnmcli  iih  moIIiI  fonndiilinnM  i'ci|nirc  11 
j;rcMl  nniforniilv  of  ctnidiicl.  ivml  projcclM  nniMl  lie  followed 
«tu(  wliicli  cfMinol  ripen  or  lie  execnied  e\cep|  willi  (iinc, 
und  H  nt>w  governor  inrelv  iipjnoveH  Mn>  viewH  of  Imm  prc- 
(leceHHor  or  fiiilM  lo  consider  HimI  lie  Iuih  lu'lier.  IfiM 
HnccesMor  will  \u\un  llie  siiine  jndj;nii'nl  on  Ium  in  llieir 
(nrn  ;  fiinl  llniw,  \t\  ever  liej^innini;  nnew,  11  colonv  will 
never  leiive  ilw  infiincv.  or  ninKe  l>iil  slow  indf^rcMn.  l?n|, 
yel  llicre  lire  circnniHljinccn  wlieiu"  prudence  foiliidn  11. 
prince  (o  follow  a  course  wliicli  in  reiilly  Ilie  most  (>x- 
pi<dienl.  Slid  exirenie  lo  wliicli  llieM(>  (mkIm  of  eiirlh 
lire  MonielinicH  rediice<l,  wliere  I  lie  intiliililv  lo  wliicli 
Hi(\V  me  lironjriil,  of  reiiiedvin<;  iin  evil  except  liy  iiii 
evil.  \h  well  tilled  lo  iinpresn  IIkmii  willi  11  Hciiwe  of  lli<>ir 
weiiKiicMH. 
iliK  cimrno-  'I'lie  ('li(>viilier  de  IVIonfniiigny  fell  into  none  of  llio 
"' "i"iii»  "  ''•'•'""'^  "1^  wliicli  I  liiive  Mpoheii.  On  llii>  conlrmy,  lio 
Bm.oe».Hnr,  „|,„ii,,„^|y  modelled  Imm  condiicl  on  lliiil  of  liin  prede- 
ccHHor,  mid  conliiied  liiniself  lo  following,  mm  fur  mh  in  liini 
liiy.  tlie  plan  wliicli  INIr.  di>  ClimiipliMn  lind  tniced  in  IiIh 
tnenioiiH.  lleiii-e  il  in  ceiliiin  lliiil,  liiid  llio  ('miiidii  ("oni- 
|tnn\  Hcconded  liini.  lie  would  litive  |iiil  llie  colony  on  n 
very  good  fooling,  imd  lie  \h  greiilly  lo  lie  priiiHed  for 
liiiving  MiisliiiniMl  il  iih  Ii(>  diti  willi  mo  lillle  power.  IliH 
life,  moreover,  wmm  mo  exenipliiry,  iind  lie  diHpliiyiMl  on  nil 
(iccHMioiiM  MO  niiicli  wisdom,  piety,  religion,  mid  diMinler- 
CHledneHS  ;  lie  spilled  liimself  so  lillle  w  lien  tlii>  insolence 
of  tli(>  Iroipiois  wiiM  to  lie  repressed  ;  mid  lie  knew  mo  well 
how  lo  niiiiiitiiin  Imm  dignity  in  llie  most  delicnte  circiini- 
hIiUiccm.  Iliiit  lie  endeiired  iMinself  C(|iiMlly  to  I'Veiicli  mid 
IndimiM.  mid    llie  coiiil    (<ven    Ion;;   proposed   liini    to   the 


mSTOKV    111'-    Nl'.U     I'll  VMM 


'205 


CKVi'iiKirM  i>r  iirw  coI.iiiicH  (iM  M  iiHuIcI  wild  coiilil  mil   lio      t(']f\ 
too  miicli  Mliiilinl.'  v^_  ^  _. 

IIIm  Mncci'HMor'  UMM  M  wurtliv  u\i\u.  full  uf  tcli.jion  niitl 
f^toil  will.  I|(>  lijid  Im'!.iiij;o(|  Io  (he  S...'i(-(v  of  IMontn'jil. 
ciiliri'lv  nitiilo  up  of  |>iitii>i  iicimhhm.  zoiltuiH  I'nr  Hie  convt'i- 
Hinii  ol' (li(>  Ih'iUIkmi.  II<>  ri)ininMnili<i|  in  iliul  iKlnnd  .liiiiiifr 
(1  viMM{r.>  wlii.'li  IMi    (I(>  IMniNi.niii'iivi'  IimiI  Lecn  ..l.jij.c,!   lo 

llllllu'    (ii     (''riUICC.       'I'llcli  •■      1|(      liMil    |it|HH":    ^(1  |||i>  };nv(>rii- 


'  Till'  ClicvitliiT  lie  Mcin(imi)TH.v 
li'lY  t'liimilii  I'M  llii'  Ailmiiiil.  Si'|ii 
V!:l.  HMM  K.-ilnn.l.  wlin  ..|ilo,;i„.H 
llli>  ("lini'iird'r  ol  lliin  uiivurnni ,  na  i|,i 
till-  UclnlloiiH  (lli'liltioi".  HUH,  p,  '0  , 
< 'ri'iiviiiH,  IIIhIiiiIu  ('iiimili'MHiH,  |i 
M  :  mill  Miillicr  .liiclii'vi'iiii.  In  In-r 
IIW.iiriMl..  rili.l.'l  m.Mi.  |.  7th.  h.Mh 
"  W'l'  linil  iinlliin^  very  niilln'iitio 
iiB  til  liim  nllrr  lliiN  Mi-.  \iiIm'iI  do 
III  ('lii'iiiivi'  »ii\^<.  iii'vci  (lii'linu.  I  lull 
Ih<  cliccl  III  Ml  KillH.  In  I  hi'  liiiii»iiiil' 
IiIb  kliininnii.  Mr.  ilo  rnincy  .  ImiI 
IIiIr  nmi'i'linn  Ih  Riippinli'il  liy  no 
pniiil'  "  ('(inm  irillsldlri".  i.  p  .'1(1:1 
IIIh  rrniiiviil  nmy  liinc  ronii'.  (nn. 
rriiin  llic  iippoHilion  ln-iwci'ii  liini 
mill  till'  iii'w  iHiliiny  iil  Mnnhi'iil 
Nci'  Mciiiiilri'  iii>  Mr  (|i>  In  riicniiyi', 
ill  lllim,  Ktiillnii.  lllHliiin'  ill'  III 
CiiliMii.'  I'^iinriilw.  il  .  p  til 

'    Irl'lliM    irAilll'llOllMt.    Hl'luill'lir     ill' 

»'iiiilim>:i'M,  wiiB  II  (ii-nl1i'iniin  nl 
riiiiinpiicni'.  iilii  fiiinlly  nlii'iiily  ili« 
tliiHiii^ilii'il  III  ini'ilii'liii'  Mini  (111- 
•'liiiri'li  111'  "I'lil  III  riiiiHilii  III 
l(ll;l.  riniii  purely  ii'lljrli'iiB  iiioIIvi-r 
111'  li'.l  mil  II  niiniiii'i  of  rnliiniRif). 
mill  iliil  iniirli  I'm-  lln'  iii'«  lnwn 
llii«ini'BH  ri'ipilrliiK  lii«  n'lnni,  ||,< 
unlli'il  lor  l''riiiii'i'.  (tri,  -Jl.  m  ( j 
(.l.iiinml  of  (III'  Siipi'iliir  or  lln.  Ioru 
ll»)  lliniiij!  loiii'lniji'il  IiIh  iiMiihu. 
Ill'  Biilli'il  liiii'U.  mill  miiii'il  on  (lio 
yOlli  AiikiihI.  nils  .loniinil  of  tl„. 
HiipnrliM  ,  lii'liitioii  ,|o  III  Nonvolli. 
Krmiri'.  HUM.  p  -.«      i|„  hniiinlil  "nl 


n  now  Koynl  U..yiilii||o,i.  i|ii|o,| 
Mmrli  ft.  HUM.  inoililyinc  in  iionio 
pnriiiiilmH  iliiit  of  Mmi'li  ";.  kh;. 
"Iiiili  iiniy  lio  I'liiiRiiloioil  llio  Ijrni 
t 'iiimiliiiii    rlimlor       « 'iiiniilinii    Col 

I'll'.  II .  I .  p  r;;i     lu  iimi  oi  hum 

Ilio  (lovoinor  wiiN  III  lio  I'lioNon  lor 
Miri'o  yoiiiH.  lint  nii,ilif  |i,.  ,.,^|, 
IHiinloil  III'  wiiM  111  linvo  II  I'oiini'il, 
i-oiiipiiHiiij.  Ilio  hjuliop  (or.  nil  lliom 
wiiHoiic,  Ilio  Siipoiior  of  (Iio.Ii-hiiIIb), 
till'   liiRl    ttovoriioi.    mill    JHo  iiiliiili 

IIiiiiIr    i'Iiiiroii    liy    III,.    , „  il    |,„|| 

llioHMiiliiHnI  (Jiiolio,.    Monlioiil.  mill 
'I'liri'i'  Ulvorw      If  llii'io  wiiH  nu  ox 
Kiivi'vnor   In   Ilio  nilimy.   iin   inliiili 
iliinl  HiiH  I'liiiNiii  in  lilu  pliii'o       TIiIh 
loiiiilnlii'ii  wiiR  Ion,!  Ill  loiro.  iiml   in 

I'llll     I'Otliplllillf     «HH     lllllllo     llhll      it 

«iiH  iiol  I'hIIikmmI  Hirii'lly  rii.lor 
tlii'KO  I'liiiiiiiR  Ilio  fiiiioiiil  ol  Ilio 
lli'i'l  Mini  Ilio  H\  nilii-H  liiiil  n  lijijii  lo 
iippi'iir  ill  I'oiiiii'il,  tviili  II  ilolilirriilivo 

M'l w  lo  iiiiilioiM  ri'liilln.i;  lo  ilioir 

I'oiiBlilin  iilH     'I'll noil  iippoiiiioil 

"I'l'i'iR  I    Ihoil  miliiiloM      olll.'oiH 

to  111'  I'loi'toil  miniiiilly  mill  loporl 
iiiiniinlly  SolllorM  ronlil  Imiv  Ihih 
of  liiiliMiiH  Willi  I'oloniiil  hihhIm.  lint, 
woro  I'oiiipolloil  lo  Inlio  fiiiH  III  pull 
111'  BloioM  l''i'rlMiiil.  ('oiirw  il'lliH 
toiio.    I.     pp     :i.-,(|,    :i(i;)       MiiilMnio 

•  r  AilllllOIIIlt  (MmiImIIII  llo  H.Mllo(rlll'). 
tll..l|,;|,    lolllrlMlll    III    llrnt    111  I-OIIIO     lo 

Ciiimiln.  tooU.  iiovorllii'loHM.  m  pioiii 
liioni  pint  ill  iiiiiii>  of  I  III'  pooil 
WimKh  liojviiii  III  Moiilroiil. 


206 


HISTORY  OP  NEW  FRANCE. 


1646.  ment  of  Three  Elvers.'  Thus  he  knew  Canada  perfectly, ' 
and  was  not  Ignorant  of  Its  necessities.  He  accordingly 
omitted  nothing  that  depended  on  him  to  provide  for 
them ;  but  as  he  was  not  better  served  than  those  who 
preceded  him,  New  France  continued,  under  his  adminis- 
tration, to  encoimter  misfortunes  which  it  would  be  unjust 
to  ascribe  to  him. 


■  Creuxius  (IliBtoria  Canadensis,  boust  was  governor   of  Montreal 

p.  502)  says  the  same,  but  Faillon  daring  the  absence  of  Maisonnenve. 

(Histoire  de  la  Colonio  Frangalse,  ii.,  ile  was  never  governor  of  Three 

p.  80)  corrects  the  error.     D'Aiile  Rivera. 


!tly,' 
igiy 

for 
who 

inis- 
just 


treal 
euve. 
fbree 


:    !*; 


!  "1 


t   J  I 


BOOK   VII 


;:•» 


si 


Itff 


? 


x>. 


? 


JESUrT  MISSION^ARIES  , 

♦  •  -♦ 


^' .  (I 


/ 


FoiNDKHs  or  I  (jNvi:?>rrs. 


/IJI&  ^ 


HISTORY  OF  NEW  FRANCE. 


209 


/^cJt 


<^. 


^/7(^ 


BOOK   VII. 

Quebec  and  all  tho  French  settlements  were  then  quite     1648. 
tranquil,  and  the  Indians  who  had  settled  among  us,  or  ^— y— ^ 
came  to  trade,  profited  by  this  calm.     Commerce  was  smte  of  the 
confined   chiefly    to   peltries,   and  it   was   especially    at    '"'""y- 
Three  Eivers  and  Tadoussac  that  the  Indians  assembled 
to  trade.     Most  of  them  came  from  the  northern  parts, 
and   they  were  all   instructed   in  the  Christian  truths. 
These  they  communicated  to  their  neighbors,  and  they 
never  failed  to  return  with  proselytes,  who  were  then 
finally  prepared  for  baptism.     Sylleri,  too,  daily  increased 
in  population  and  fervor  ;  but  the  Huron  church,  although 
the  most  numerous  of  all,  and  fruitful  in  great  examples  of 
virtue,  was  a  source  of  constant  disquiet  and  alarm  to  the 
missionaries. 

Nevertheless,  this  same  year,  1648,  brought  some  new   Unfonn- 
gleams  of  hope  that  the  Hurons  and  Iroquois  would  settie  nttu'Vro'ot 
their  differences.     Tho  Audastes  or  Andastoez,'  a  then '^®  ^""°^* 
powerful  and  warlike  nation,  sent  offers  of  aid  to  the 
former,  who  at  the  time  had  gained  important  advantages 
over  their  enemies."    It  was  a  favorable  opportunity' to 


'  Andastoo  (says  the  Relation  de 
la  Nouvolle  Prance,  1G48,  p.  56)  is  a 
country  beyond  the  Neuter  nation, 
one  hundred  and  fifty  league.  3.  E. 
\  8.  from  the  Huron?  in  a  Ptraight 
line,  or  two  hundred  leagues  by  the 
trailfi,  of  Huron  language.  They 
were  near  the  Swedes.    Ante,  p.  73. 

'  Relation  do  la  NouveUe  France, 

Vol.  II.— 14 


104«:  p.  58.  Du  Creux'B  map 
gives  geographical  data  not  in 
the  Reflations.  The  Huron  envoy, 
('liarles  Ondauiondiont,  who  reached 
Andastoe  early  in  Juno,  there  learned 
the  death  of  Father  Jogues. 

^  Father  Bressani,  who  deacended 
to  Quebec  in  July,  brought  news  of 
a  defeat  of  an  Irajuois  party  by  the 


210 


HISTORY  OP  NEW  FRANCE. 


1648,  regain  their  pristine  superiority  over  the  Iroquois,  but 
they  woukl  not  profit  by  it  except  to  enable  them  to  obtain 
a  favorable  peace  ;  and  by  not  taking  the  surest  means  to 
succeed  in  this,  which  was  a  vigorous  preparation  for  war, 
they  fell  a  dupe  to  the  duplicity  and  bad  faith  of  their 
enemy. 

To  all  appearance  they  declined  the  offers  of  the  An- 
dastes,  or  at  least  failed  to  do  what  they  could  to  profit  by 
the  offers  of  that  nation ;  and,  in  fact,  I  find  no  mention 
of  any  d.  version  made  by  those  Indians  in  their  favor. 
Thus  the  overweening  confidence  of  the  Hurons  was  really 
what  began  to  enfeeble  them,  and  at  last  destroyed  the 
nation  ;  for  while  the  Onondagas  amused  them  with  nego- 
tiations, the  Mohawks  and  Senecas  suddenly  fell  on  two 
large  hunting-parties  from  the  town  of  St.  Ignatius,  and 
totally  routed  them.'  Then  for  a  time  no  hostihties  were 
heard  of,  and  this  was  enough  to  plunge  the  Hurons  again 
into  their  former  security.  This  was  the  object  of  the 
Mohawks.  They  took  up  arms  secretly,  and  appeared  in 
the  field  on  a  side  where  they  were  least  expected. 

Father  Anthony  Daniel  ministered  &i  >jxe  to  a  whole  can- 
ton, his  ordinary  residence  being  the  town  of  St.  Joseph, 
the  first  where  they  had  undertaken  to  plant  the  gospeL' 
On  the  4th  of  July,  very  early  in  the  morning,  while  that 
rehgious  was  celebrating  the  holy  mysteries,  he  heard  a 


Hurons,  who  killed  or  took  thirty. 
The  superior  of  the  Jesuits  was  so 
confident,  that,  as  two  hundred  and 
fifty  Hurons  came  down,  he  sent  up 
Fathers  Lalemant,  Daran,  and  Ores- 
Ion — with  two  other  Fathers,  one 
lay-brother,  three  boys,  nine  me- 
chanics, eight  soldiers  —  and  they 
were  to  take  in  four  more  at  Mon- 
treal, witli  a  cauuon  ;  Journal  of  Su- 
perior of  Jesuits,  July,  August,  1048. 
'  Relation  do  la  NouvoUe  France, 
1648,  p.  4i)  ;  Creuxius,  Historia  Ca- 
nadensis, pp.  52y,  534.  The  Senecas 
al  this  time  attacked  the  Aondiro- 


nons,  a  Neuter  tribe  next  to  the 
Hurons. 

"  This  St.  Joseph  was  not  the  town 
Caragouhaor  Ihonatiria.  Champlain, 
1619  (Laverdiere's  edition,  p.  28, 
note),  where  the  mission  began  (ante, 
p.  77),  that  town  liaving  been  aban- 
doned in  1038.  Rel.  de  la  N.  France, 
1038,  p.  50  ;  1039,  p.  50.  The  name 
St.  Joseph  was  thou  transferred  to 
Teananstayae  (lb.  letter  of  F.  Charles 
Oarnier,  MS.),  tlie  Tequenonkiaye  of 
Cliampluin  (Vo/.  1019,  p.  28,  .-d. 
liaverdiere)  and  of  Sagard  (Hist,  du 
Can.,  p.  208);  called  also  Ossossane. 


HISTORY  OP  KE\7  FRANCE. 


911 


confused  noise  of  people  ninning  in  all  directions,  ex-     1648. 

clftiming,  "  They  are  killing  us  !"    There  was  scarcely  any- » ' 

body  in  the  village  at  the  time  but  old  men,  women,  and    A  Huron 
children.     The  enemy,  informed  of  this,  had  made  his  stnTjx.iby 
approach  by  night,  and  attacked  at  daybreak.     At  the     h«wk»." 
first  alarm  given  by  the  cries  of  the  dying,  the  chapel  was 
deserted.    The  priest  had  time  oaly  to  terminate  the  sac- 
rifice, lay  aside  the  sacerdotal  vestments,  shut  them  up 
with  the  sacred  vessels,  and  run  to  the  quarter  from  which 
the  cries  proceeded.' 

No  sooner  had  ho  reached  it  than  the  m^  .,iid  and 
painful  spectacle  met  his  eyes :  his  beloved  neophytes 
massacred  unresistingly  ;  the  enemy,  like  a  pack  of  fam- 
ished wolves  who  find  a  sheopfold  open,  giving  no  quarter 
to  the  most  tender  ago  or  feeble  sex ;  old  men,  almost 
decrepit,  gathering  a  remnant  of  strength  from  despair, 
fighting  with  no  probability  of  success ;  no  one  able  to 
make  sufficient  eflfort  to  arrest  the  first  onset  of  the  assail- 
ants. He  approached  those  who  seemed  disposed  to  die, 
at  least,  with  arms  in  their  hands,  and  warned  them  that 
these  enemies,  who  could  deprive  them  of  bodily  life,  had 
no  power  over  their  souls,  nri,;  that  eternity  depended  on 
their  dying  in  the  sentiments  which  ho  had  so  often  incul- 
cated upon  them." 

He  beheld  himself  at  the  same  time  surrounded  by 
women  and  children,  whom  they  pursued,  tomahawk  in 
hand,  and  who  conjured  him  to  take  pity  on  them.  Pa- 
gans even,  whose  obstinacy  he  had  failed  to  overcome, 
threw   themselves   at  his   feet,   and   implored   baptism. 


'  Relation  de  la  Nouvelle  France, 
1649,  p.  3  ;  f'reuxius,  Historia  Cana- 
densis,  p.  525  ;  Oobat,  Narratio  His- 
torica  eorum  qua?  Societns  Jusu  in 
Nova  Francia,  tortiter  pgit  et  passa 
est,  anno  M.IK'.XLIIX.  &  XLIX, 
Oeniponti,  1650,  p.  13;  Memoircs 
touchant  les  Vortus  dee  Peros  de 
Noue,  Jogues,  Daniel,  etc.,  MS. ;  Let- 


tre  du  P.  Raguoneau  in  Carayon, 
Documents  Inedits,  xii.,  pp.  240-3  ; 
Bressani,  Breve  Relatione,  p.  105; 
Tanner,  Stxietas  Jlilitnne,  p.  673  ; 
Alegambe,  Mryrtes  IlhistreB,  p.  643  ; 
C'haunionot,  Autobiographie,  New 
York,  1858,  p.  rid. 

'•'  Relation  de  la  Nouvelle  Fitince, 
1649,  p.  3. 


•  I  I 


212 


HISTORY  OF  NEW  FRANCE. 


1648.     Tliero  was  not  a  momoiit  to  lose.     Tho  apostolic  man 

^-*~ »  ■-  '  exhorted  both  clasHca,  in  a  few  words,  to  imj)hiro  God'H 

Death  of    pardon  for  their  sins ;  then  ho  dipped  a  handkerchief  in 

Amii'oiiy    water,  and  baptized  by  aspersion  those  who  pressed  for- 

"""'  ■    ward  to  roceivo   tho  sacrament.      At  that  moment  tho 

palisades  .vere  carried  on  every  side ;  and  tlio  blood  which 

streamed  from  all  tho  cabins  and  in  the  square,  rekindling 

the  fury  of  tho  victors,  nothing  scarcely  was  to  bo  seen 

but  the  dead  and  dying.' 

Those  whoso  ago  and  strength  enabled  them  to  seek 
safety  in  flight  then  earnestly  implored  tho  missionary  to 
escape  with  them  ;  but  he  constantly  refused,  and  recol- 
lecting some  sick  persons  whoso  baptism  he  had  deferred, 
he  ran  to  their  cabins  and  baptized  them.  He  then 
returned  to  the  chapel,  to  got  the  altar  vessels  and  vest- 
ments and  put  them  in  a  secure  spot.  There  he  gave  a 
general  absolution  to  some  who  had  come  for  the  purpose. 
Then  his  only  thought  was  to  offer  to  God  the  sacrifice  of 
his  life.' 

Tho  Iroquois,  on  their  side,  no  longer  finding  any  one 
to  oppose  them,  sot  fire  to  the  cabins,  and  ajiproached  the 
chapel,  uttering  fearful  yells.  Tho  servant  of  God,  when 
he  saw  them  coming,  exhorted  all  who  remained  with  him 
to  take  to  tho  woods ;  and  to  gain  time  for  them,  went 
forward  himself  to  meet  tho  enemy.  Astonished  at  such 
resolution,  the  savages  recoiled  some  paces.  But  recov- 
ermg  fi'om  their  panic,  they  surrounded  the  holy  man ; 
and  not  yet  daring  to  approach  him,  alone  and  unarmed 
as  he  was,  they  pierced  him  with  arrows.  Bristling  as  ho 
was  with  the  shafts,  he  still  spoke  with  suiprising  energy, 
— now  to  God,  to  whom  ho  oflfered  his  blood,  shed  for  the 
flock  which  He  had  confided  to  his  care  ;  now  to  his  mur- 
derers, whom  he  reproached  with  their  perfidy  and  men- 


'  Relation  de  la  Nouvelle  France,    1C49,  p.  4  ;    Lottro  du  P.  C'liarlos 
1G41),  ]).  I!.  (inrnitT,  25  Avril,  KMO  ;  UiigiU'Oi'iin, 

''  Kflation  de  la  Nouvelle  France,    Vie  de  la  Mere  Cutlieriin',  p  M. 


[I'i 


IllSTOUy  OF  NEW  FltAX'E. 


213 


aced  witli  tlio  wrath  of  Hlixvcii,— aHHuriii},'  tliciu,  uovoitho- 
leHS,  tlmt  they  would  ever  fintl  tho  Lord  nuidy  to  receive 
them  into  favor,  if  tiu-y  had  reeoiu-so  to  Im  bounty. 

At  last,  Olio  of  the  luowt  resolute  advanced  and  pierced 
his  heart  with  ii  Kind  of  partiHau,  and  laid  him  di>ad  at 
his  foot.  All  iminediutely  fill  on  Iuh  body,  and  thero 
waH  not  ono  of  these  furies  who  did  not  dip  his  liuuds  in 
the  blood.  They  then  Htri[)ped  the  torn  and  bleeding 
body,  and  after  treating  it  with  a  thousand  indignities, 
flung  it  into  the  bla/ing  chai)ol.  The  Huron  nation  was 
inconsolable  for  the  death  of  this  missionary,  and  thoro 
was  no  ono  in  the  colony  who  did  not  revere  luni  as  a 
victim  of  the  most  hoioie  charity.  Seven  hundred  per- 
sons perished  in  this  disaster,'  and  the  town  of  St.  Joseph 
was  never  restored.  Those  who  escaped,  and  those  who 
wore  absent  at  the  time,  took  refugo  at  t'.e  town  of  St. 
Mary's— a  metropolis,  as  it  were,  of  the  country— where 
they  were  hit  in  quiet  for  the  rest  of  the  year  and  down 
to  the  ensuing  sjiriug.' 

Almost  at  the  same  timo  that  this  was  occuiTing 
amongst  the  Hurons,  the  French,  not  without  some  aston- 
ishment, beheld  an  envoy  arrive  at  Quebec  from  New 
England,  sent  to  propose  a  perpetual  alliance  between  the 
two  colonies,  independent  of  any  nipturo  that  might 
ensue  between  the  two  crowns."    Mr.  d'Ailleboilt,  finding 


'  Relation  de  la  N.  F.,  1040,  p.  5. 

'  Kelation  dc  la  Nouvello  France, 
1049,  i>.  5  ;  Gobat,  Narratio  Ilisto- 
ricu,  pp.  20-311 ;  Marie;  de  I'lncarna- 
tion,  licttrcs  IliHtorii|ues,  p.  193  ; 
Chaumonot,  Autobidgrapliic,  p.  59  ; 
(jiarnier,  Lettris,  MS.  Father  An- 
tliony  Danii'l— tailed  by  the  HuroiiH, 
Antwen — was  born  at  Dici)])o,  in 
Normandy,  in  1001,  aud  entered  the 
So<'iety  ofJcsusat  tlieuf,a'()f  twenty. 
Sent  to  Canada  in  10:!;!,  lie  labored 
first  at  Cai"'  Hreton  ;  but  from  July, 
1034,  to  luH  death,  July  4,  104S,  on 
the  Huron  mission.    Meek,  humble, 


obedient,  and  pious,  ig  the  character 
given  by  his  contemporaries. 

■'  Bruillettcs,  Nam'  du  V'oyage 
faict  iK)ur  la  Misnion  des  Abnaquiois 
et  des  Connoissances  tire/,  de  la  Nou- 
velle  Angleterre  et  lies  di«|)o8ition8 
des  Magistrals  de  ci'tte  I{('publi(|ue 
IHiur  le  seeours  centre  les  Iroquois, 
es  anneeu  10  iJ  &  1051,  ]).  31  ;  Kela- 
tion de  la  No;;  velle  France,  1052,  p. 
20.  The  elder  Winthrop  was  the 
first  iirojxiser  of  this  step,  according 
to  Druillettcs,  and  wrote,  in  1047. 
Epistola  ad  Dominum  Jouunem 
Winthrop,  New  York,  lb04,  p.  0. 


1 64H. 


Donth  of 
Ktithor 

AMtliiMiy 
Uuuiul. 


'H 


2U 


1648. 


Kniltlow 

nef(<itiK- 

thiiiit  witli 

New  KiifC 

lauil. 


1;      1 


IIIHTOHY  OF  NEW   FUANCE. 

tho  proposition  fiivoniblo,  by  the  lulvioo  of  Iuh  council,  do- 
piitcd  Father  DrcuilicttcH  to  Uoston,  an  i)Iuuipotontiary, 
to  conclude  and  higii  tlu>  treaty ;  but  on  condition  that  tho 
EngliHh  Bhonld  join  us  in  making  war  on  the  Iroc^uoia. 

I  do  not  exactly  know  what  was  then  tho  huccchh  of  this 
first  journey  of  the  luiwHionary  ;'  hut  it  ia  certain  that  tho 
negotiation,  after  lauguitihing  for  a  time,  was  rcHumud 
with  more  eamoHtneuu  in  1051.  TIuh  in  attested  by  tho 
following  documeutH,  preserved  in  tho  Depot  do  la  Marino, 
and  which  I  deem  it  proper  to  insert,  as  beuig  the  only 
papers  I  could  discover  relatuig  to  this  affair.  Tho  first  is 
a  letter  addi'cssed  by  tho  Council  of  Quebec  to  tho  Com- 
missioners of  New  England,  as  follows  ; 

"  Gentlemen — Some  years  since,  tho  gentlemen  of  Bos- 
ton having  proposed  to  us  to  establish  trade  between  Now 
France  and  New  England,  the  Council  established  by  his 
majesty  in  this  country  imites  its  replies  to-  the  letters 
which  our  governor  had  written  to  your  parts,  the  tenor 
whereof  was,  that  we  would  willingly  desire  this  trade,  and 
therewith  the  union  of  hearts  and  minds  between  our  col- 
onies and  yours  ;  but  that  we  desired,  at  the  same  time,  to 
enter  into  an  offensive  and  defensive  league  with  you 
against  tho  Iroquois,  our  enemies,  who  would  prevent  this 


'  Tet  till)  archivoH  of  tho  College 
of  Quebfc  containt'd  Druillettcs'  nar- 
rativt'  of  hiB  voyage.  Seo  Drull- 
lettee,  Narre  du  Voyage,  etc.,  1855, 
and  a  tranalation  in  tho  CoUectioofi 
of  the  N.  Y.  Hist.  Society,  series  II., 
vol.  iii. ;  also  Epistola  ad  Douiinum 
Dom.  Joannom  Winthrop  ;  and  let- 
ter in  I'erland's  Notis  sur  le  Kegistre 
de  QuelK'C,  p.  95.  He  set  out  Aug.  31, 
1050,  and  after  much  sutfering 
reached  Norridgewalk.  After  a 
ehort  stay,  ho  proceeded  to  Coue- 
i^oc  (Augusta),  and  presented  hia 
credentials  to  .John  Winslow,  the 
Plymouth  agent,  who  kindly  accom- 
panied him  to  Boston.  He  saw  Uov- 
ernor  Dudley  of  Massachusetts,  who 


refern'd  him  to  Plymouth,  as  the 
Keunebc  was  under  the  jurisdiction 
of  that  colony.  Uovernor  Hradford 
welcomed  him  ;  but  the  Kniich  en- 
voy found  that  any  aid  against  tho 
Iro<|Uoi8  could  be  decided  only  by 
the  Commissioners  of  tho  United 
Colonies,  and  he  endeavored  to  in- 
fluence tlie  delefrntes  to  that  body. 
After  doing  all  in  his  power  to  dis- 
pose the  magiBtrutca  favorably,  ho 
returned  to  the  Kennebec,  visiting 
the  New  England  Indian  a|iostIe, 
Eliot,  on  his  way.  He  reached  his 
mission  cafely,  and  in  the  spring  re- 
turned to  Quebec :  Jesuit  Jour.,  June, 
1051.  The  documents  here  given  are 
in  Canad.  Col.  Doc.,  II.,  i.,  pp.  10-12. 


i'l, 


IIIHTOHY  OF  NEW   FRANCE. 


215 


L«ttur  to 
Cmiiiiiiii- 
aioiiurit  of 
New  Eiiil 


trailo,  or  iit  U'list  niidtr  it  Khh  mlviiiita^nous  botli  for  you  1648. 
untl  (or  iiH.  Till'  oMi^'iitiou  wliicli,  it  hckius  to  uh,  you  —" ~f— 
show  Id  fot'l  to  rt'prt'SH  tlio  iuHolouco  of  theso  Iro(|uoiH  hiiv- 
ogoH — who  maHHUcro  tlio  Sokokinoin  and  Alu'iiaiiuinoiH, 
your  allicH— and  tho  oimii  with  which  you  could  carry  on  luiiJ,  ulft' 
tho  war,  by  oiu"  taking  it  up  properly,  aro  two  rcaHona 
which  havo  induced  hh  to  follow  up  this  juattcr  with  you 
in  your  Court  of  ComiuisHionor.s.  AVo  havo  reipioHtod  our 
governor  to  writo  to  you  ofKcaciouHly.  This  is  to  join  our 
excrtiouH  to  his,  anil  to  assure  you  of  tho  disposition  of 
our  hearts,  and  of  those  of  all  in  Now  France,  for  thla 
trade  with  New  England,  and  for  tho  designs  of  this  war 
against  tho  Inxpiois,  who  should  bo  our  common  foo. 
Besides  the  Sieur  do  Dreuillettes,  who  already  this  winter 
began  to  negotiate  this  matter,  wo  have  been  phiased  that 
Sieur  Godefroy,  councillor  of  'jwr  body,  bo  associated. 
The  merit  of  these  two  dei)ii'i('s  loads  us  to  ho^jo  a  hapi)y 
result  for  the  design.  Tin  y  aro  invested  with  necessary 
powers  to  that  end, — that  is  to  say,  both  to  estabUsh  lirmly 
trade  between  you  and  us,  and  to  relieve  you  of  tho  ex- 
pense necessary  to  bo  incurred  in  the  war  in  (juestion 
against  tho  Iroquois.  Wo  bog  you  to  givo  them  a  hear- 
ing, and  to  act  with  them  as  you  would  do  with  us,  with 
tho  frankness  natural  to  Englishmen  as  much  as  to  us 
Frenchmen.  Wo  cannot  doubt  but  that  God  will  bless 
yoiu'  arms  and  ours,  when  they  aro  employed  in  tho 
defence  of  Christian  Indians,  both  your  allies  and  ours, 
against  heathen  savages,  who  have  neither  faith,  nor  God, 
nor  any  justice  in  their  course,  as  you  may  learn  more  at 
length  from  the  said  Sioiu's  our  deputies,  who  will  assure 
you  of  the  sincere  desire  wo  entertain  that  Hoavou  may 
ever  contume  to  bless  your  provinces,  and  load  you, 
gentlemen,  with  its  favors. 

"  Done  in  the  chambers  of  our  Couucil,  established  by  the 
king,  at  Quebec,  in  New  France,  this  20th  of  Juno,  lOol." 

Tho  second  concerns  tho  nomination  of  8iour  Godefroy 
to  treat  conjointly  with  Father  Dreuillettes,  aud  is  en- 


216 


HISTOllY  OK  NKW    Fll.VNCK. 


«  ( 


!■      I  ' 


1648.     titlod,  "Extract  fiDin  t1ii>  Hi>f>;ist(>i's  of  tlio  Aiu-icnl  Ootiiicil 
^-^"^f^"'  of  tliis  Country,  Juno  'JO,  Ki;")!  :" 
K.'Kisirr  of      "  The  Council  ussciublctl  lit  nine  o'clock  in  tho  nioniini' 

tllO    t'olllU'il  ill  II-,.. 

otuntiioo,  — invscnt :  tlio  governor;  tlio  rcvcicml  I'lithcr  Superior; 
McsHioui's  ilo  Manzc,'  do  (ioilcfroy,  and  ]\It<i;oil  on  tho 
proi)ositiou  nuido  to  tho  CJouncil,  touching  a  cmtain  ro- 
Bcriptiou  niado  liy  tho  Council,  in  the  year  IGIH,  to  tho 
end  that  a  union  bo  made  hetwoon  tho  colonicH  of  Now 
France^  and  Ntnv  England,  to  cany  on  connncrct^  with 
each  other.  TJio  Cttuncil,  desiring  to  meet  their  wishes, 
has  nominated,  and  no'iinate,  Sieur  Oodefroy,'  one  of  the 
coiuicillors  of  tli-  Council  established  by  his  inajesty  in 
this  country,  to  procei  d  witli  tho  llov.  Fatlior  Dreuillottes, 
to  tho  said  New  l-iUgiand,  to  tho  saiil  Commissioners,  to 
treat  and  act  witli  them  according  to  the  power  given  to 
them  by  tho  Council,  a  copy  whereof  is  inserted  iu  tho 
liasse,  as  also  a  copy  of  tho  letter  written  to  the  said  Com- 
missioners of  New  J'lngland  l)y  tho  Council.  And  as  to 
luerchandiso  bi\)Ught  by  one  Tlu)mas  Yost,'  on  the  assm'- 
ance  and  good  faith  of  llov.  Father  Dreuillottes,  the 
Council  has  decided  to  send  and  meet  him,  to  point  out  a 
place  where  he  may  di'liver  them,  and  that  in  its  time. 

"  Louis  d'Aillebousl,  lieutenant-general  for  the  khig,  and 
gov(nnor  of  all  New  France,  etc.,  greetuig  : 

"  Having  bi>en  solicited  and  entreated,  both  by  tho 
Christian  Indians  de))ending  on  (mr  gt)vernmont  and  by 
the  AlH'na(|uinois,  living  on  the  riv«*r  of  Kinibetpii,  and 
others  their  allies,  to  protect  them  against  tho  incursion 
of  tho  Irocjuois,  their  common  enemies,  as  it  had  boon 
heretofore  practised  by  Sieur  do  IMontmagny,  our  jirede- 
cessor  iu  tins  government,  and  having  anew  shown  us 


'  Maurc  :  JcHuit  Jour.,  June,  1(150.  dn  Ui'])<Mitif:;ny:  Ki'rlanii.NotcH,  j).  (17. 

''  .lohii    I'liul   (lixiclroy,   shiii-ciij)-  •'  Vmi,  in  tin-  Niirr  ,  p.  IH.     Ap- 

tjiin,   ■on  of  I{.  Oodefroy,  KHq.,  of  St.  jMirrntly  'I'liotnim  Yi'O  or  Vow,  who 

NiclioliiH  di's  ClninipH,  lit  I'liris.     Ilo  in     l(ir>'J.    projcclrd    the   condnit    in 

wan   an   I'nrly   wilier,   and   in   l(l)(i  Ann  Htreel,  HoHton  :  Siiviij^e,  Oeneiil. 

murri'-'d  Mary  Miigdiiieu  Iu  (Jurdcur  Diet.,  iv.,  \).  (!U8. 


IIISTOHY  (W  NKVV   riJANOK. 


217 


thiit  (ill  ihoir  nations  woro  on  tlio  ])oiiii  of  Wuv^  folully  1648. 
(lostroy<>(l  nnltiss  wo  spciMlily  broii^'Iit  a  n^inody  Wo,  for 
those  oausos  and  tlu^  f;;oo(l  of  tliis  colony,  and  following 
tho  oxproHM  ordois  given  as  in  tlu<  nanio  of  tlio  <ino('n- 
rogont,  niothor  of  tho  king,  to  protect  tho  Indians  against 
their  said  oneniics,  have  d(>pnted,  and  dei)nte,  with  tho 
advice  of  tho  Conncil  estal)lish(<d  in  this  conntry  and  somo 
of  tho  most  notable  inhabitants,  tlic  Hieurs  (Jabriol  Dreu- 
illettes,  pr(>acher  of  tho  gos{)(>l  to  tlio  Tndian  nations,  and 
Jolin  Godcfroy,  ono  of  tho  C(mncillors  of  tho  said  Conncil, 
ambassadors  for  them  to  tlio  gontI»>nion  of  N(>w  England, 
to  treat,  (>ith(^i-  with  tho  govi^rnors  and  magistrates  of 
Now  England,  or  with  tho  CuMit-ral  Court  of  (!omniia- 
sionera  and  Deputi(>s  of  tho  United  Colonies,  for  assist- 
ance in  men,  and  ninnitiona  of  war,  and  snp])lies,  to 
attack  tho  said  Iroquois  in  the  most  jirojx^r  and  con- 
V(>nient  places  ;  as  also  to  agree  upon  articles  which  shall 
bo  deemed  necessary  to  assur(>  this  treaty,  and  to  grant 
to  the  said  p(v>ple  of  New  Engliuid  tho  trade  which  they 
have  desired  from  us  by  their  letttMs  in  the  year  1(!47, 
with  the  articles,  clauses,  and  conditions  wliidi  thev  shall 
therein  see  necessary,  awaiting  (":e  arrival  of  tli(>  ambas- 
sador whom  wo  shall  send  on  our  beiialf  to  ratify  and 
establish  tinally  what  they  may  have  agree(l  upon. 

"  W(!  accordingly  )n-ay  all  governors,  lieutenants-gen- 
eral, captains,  and  others,  to  lt>t  tiuMii  i)ass  fr<>ely,  etc.'" 

To  all  Mpp(\arance,  it  was  this  condition  of  making  war 
on  the  Iro(iuois  which  broke  oil"  the  negotiation;  and  it 
was,  in  fact,  exacting  much  from  tho  I'^nglish,  who  were 
far  enough  remov<>d  from  the  Inxj-iois  to  have  aught  to 
fear  from  tluun,  and  who  wen*  (>ngagcd  exclusively  in  trade 
and  agriculture.'     It  is  certain  that  the  iillianc(>  was  not 


'  Utitbrc  (lie  (liitti  i>r  tlicNc  pniNTs  doiif;-!!,  or  Id  gmni  lliciii  lil-crty  to 

tho    roldiiy    of    Plyniou'li    il('ci(l<Ml  go  lliriiii(;li  llicir  JiinHdiclicni  tnr  tlio 

Bgiiiiisl  the   l''ri'iicli   I'lMiucHt.     "'rhii  HCnicsiiiil   piii|Misi' :"   |{ ^nU  nt' thii 

roiiH  (Icchirc  ihcinsi'lvcH  not  to  Ih'  Cohmy  of  I'lynionlh,  .liiiu' ."i.  I(1."i1. 
wiUiiin- filhiT  to  iiUl  tliciu  ill  thi'ir         '  DiuilU'tlcKiiml  (iodrlVov  niuhcd 


'218 


HISTOitY  OF  NEW  FRANCE. 


1648,     made — at  least,  on  the  footing  proposed.    On  the  other 

^■""■Y-^  hand,  the  Iroquois  havdng  been  for  six  months  without 

Snpinoness  making  any  new  attempt,  th.e  Indians  once  more  forgot 

rons.      that  they  had  to  deal  with  an  enemy  against  wliom  they 

should  never  cease  for  a  single  day  to  be  on  their  guard. 

In  regard  to  the  Hurons,  it  was  not  the  favilt  of  their 
missionaries  that  they  were  supine ;  but  these  religious, 
imable  to  persuade  their  neophytes  to  adojit,  for  their  own 
preservation,  the  precautions  which  pnidence  dictated, 
redoubled  their  exertions  to  sanctify  them  and  prepare 
them  for  any  event.  On  this  score  they  were  met  by  per- 
fect docility.  They  foimd  no  difficulty  in  iuspu-ing  senti- 
ments most  suitable  to  the  sad  situation  to  which  they 
reduced  themselves  by  their  inconceivable  lethargy  and 
blindness — unexampled,  perhaps,  in  history.  What  con- 
soled the  pastors  was  to  see  them,  when  necessaiy,  faco 
death  with  a  courage  which  inspired  them,  in  txirn,  to  die 
as  Christian  heroes.  Father  Jogues  and  Father  Daniel 
soon  had  imitators,  who  gave  the  Indian  Christians  the 
most  exalted  idea  of  their  zeal  and  constancy. 
Two  Huron     On  the  IGth  of  March,  1G49,  a  party  of  one  thousand  Iro- 

towns  de- 
stroyed by  quois  fell  suddenly,  before  daybreak;  on  the  town  of  St. 

Ignatius.    It  was  strongly  enough  fortified  against  any  In- 


quois. 
1649. 


dian  attack,  but  it  contained  at  the  time  only  four  hundred 
souls,  and  no  watch  was  kept.  The  assailants  accordingly 
had  no  trouble  except  to  set  fire  to  the  palisades  and  mas- 
sacre people, — some  asleep,  and  others  not  spared  time 
enough  to  understand  their  position.  Only  three  men 
escaped'  to  St.  Louis,  which  was  not  far  distant,  to  give 
the  alarm  there. 


Boston,  but  could  not  alter  the  dc- 
ciBion  adopted  by  I'lymovitli.  Tlu! 
general  court  refused  :  Hazard,  ii., 
p.  18a. 

'  The  Iroquois  lost  only  ten  in  the 
attack  :  IJelation  de  hi  Nouvelle 
France,  104i),  p.  10.  For  the  full 
details  of  the  loss  of  St.  Ignatius 


and  St.  Louis,  boo  Relation  do  la 
Nou\elle  France,  l()4i),  ]>.  17  ;  C'reux- 
ius,  liistoria  Canadensis,  p.  5!!7; 
Memoires  sur  les  Vertus,  etc.,  MS  ; 
Qobat,  Helatio  Historicn,  )>.  87;  Ures- 
sani,  Ureve  Relnlione,  |).  107  ;  Tan- 
ner, Societas  Militans,  p.  53!J ;  Uar- 
nior,  Lettros,  MS. 


'  i^ ; 


HISTORY  OP  NEW  FKANCE. 


219 


The  women  and  cliiklren  immetliatcly  fled  to  the  woods,'     1648. 

and  only  eighty  men  remained,  resolved  to  defend  tliem-  ^■^—^i ' 

selves  to  the  last,  and  who  would  have  done  better  to 
reserve  themselves  for  a  better  02iportunity.  The  town 
was,  indeed,  pretty  well  intrenched,  and  tl  e  flrst  ap- 
proaches of  the  enemy,  who  came  close  on  the  three  fugi- 
tives, cost  him  dear.  He  was  even  twice  repulsed ;  but 
under  cover  of  a  heavy  fire  of  musketry,  which  brought 
down  the  bravest  of  the  besieged,  a  division  of  the  L-o- 
quois  attacked  a  point  in  the  paUsade,  and  effecthig  a 
breach,  entered  the  intreuchment,  leading  on  the  whole 
force.  Then  it  became  a  massacre,  and  all  the  Hurons 
were  soon  liors  de  combat.^ 

They  had  with  them  Fathers  John  de  Brebeuf  and  Fathers  do 
Gabriel   Lallemant,   a   nephew    of  Father   Charles    and  and^LaUe- 
Jerome  Lallemant,  of  whom  we  have  spoken;  and  they™""""''''"' 
had  been  i^iable  to  induce  either  of  them  to  seek  a  place 
of  safety.     Yet  it  would  have  been  better  had  they  sep- 
arated,  and  Father  de  Brebeuf  used  his   authority  to 
oblige  his  companions  to  follow  those  who  fled  ;  but  the 
recent  example  of  Father  Daniel,  and  the  danger  in  which 
a  number  of  catechumens  were  of  dying  uubaptized,  made 
both  believe  that  they  should  not  leave  them.      They 
accordingly  took  post,  one  at  each  extremity  of  the  line  of 
attack,  always  in  the  most  exposed  spots,  engaged  solely 
in  baptizing  the  dy;ng  and  encoui-agiug  the  combatants  to 
have  God  only  in  view. 

At  last  all  the  Hurons  wCre  killed  or  taken,  and  the  two 
missionaries  were  in  the  number  of  the  latter.  The  vic- 
tors then  set  fire  to  the  cabins,  and  returned,  with  their 
prisoners  and  all  the  booty,  to  St.  Ignatius,  where  they 


'  To  the  number  of  over  five  hun- 
dred ;  Kclatiou  do  la  Nouv.  France, 
1040,  p.  11. 

'  St.  Louis  was  but  one  league 
distant :  Heliition  de  la  Nouvello 
France,  104t>,  p.  10.    In  the  assuiUt, 


thirty  Iroquois  wore  killed  and  many 
wounded  :  lb.,  p.  11.  Tht>  flames  of 
St.  Louis  were  diatiurtly  sucn  by  the 
luissionarics  at  St.  Mary's,  which 
was  only  a  league  distant :  lb. ; 
Creusias,  Hist.  Canadenais,  p.  538. 


220  HISTORY  OF  NEW  FRANCE. 

1649.  had  left  their  provisions  and  a  reserve  corps  to  cover  their 
retreat  in  case  of  repulse.  As  the  sound  of  these  two 
attacks  had  drawn  a  number  of  Huron  warriors  to  Lhe 
ground,  the  next  two  days  were  spent  in  skirmishes,  the 
issue  of  which  varied  greatly,  and  especially  near  St. 
Mary's,  which  was  only  a  league  fi-om  St.  Louis. 

This  was  a  pretty  populous  town,  many  Frenchmen 
residing  there  with  the  missionaries,  and  a  careful  watch 
being  always  kept.  Nevertheless,  two  himdred  Iroquois 
approached  on  the  17th,  to  see  what  face  they  made  ;  but, 
advancing  somewhat  too  far,  they  fell  into  an  ambuscade. 
Many  were  killed,  several  taken,  and  the  rest  pursued  to 
St.  Louis,  where  the  main  body  was  encamped.  The 
Hurons,  ignorant  of  this,  were  in  turn  taken  by  surprise. 
Wlien  they  least  expected  it  they  found  themselves  con- 
fronted by  eiglit  hundred  men,  and  no  means  of  escape 
left.  Yet  they  did  not  lose  heart.  They  fought  all  day  ; 
and,  in  spite  of  the  inequahty  of  numbers,  the  advantage 
was  for  a  long  time  on  the  Huron  side.  But  at  last,  spent 
with  weariness,  unable  to  wield  their  arms,  reduced  to  a 
handful,  and  most  of  them  wounded,  they  were  all  made 
prisoners. 

They  were  the  bravest  men  of  the  nation,'  and  great 
was  the  consternation  at  St.  Mary's  when  their  defeat 
became  known.  Fears  were  even  entertained  that  the 
place  could  not  resist  an  assault  if  the  enemy  attempted 
it ;  and  the  whole  of  the  ensuing  day  passed  in  anxiety 
and  alarm,  the  more  founded,  as  the  L'oquois  were  actu- 
ally approaching.  To  avert  the  threatened  misfortune 
they  had  recourse  to  Heaven,  and  invoked  St.  Joseph," 


i 


•  The  Hurons  who  sallied  out 
■were  Atinniaoonten  or  Boars,  the 
elite  of  the  Christians  of  the  towns 
of  the  Conception  and  Magdulon. 
Their  skinnishers  in  front  were 
routed  by  tlie  Iro<iU()is,  with  loss ; 
but  tiiey  drove  the  Inxjuois  liehind 
the  still  standing  palisade  of  St. 


Louis  and  stormed  it,  taking  thirty 
prisoners,  here  they  intrenched, 
and  held  it  till  all  were  killed  or 
taken.  Tlie  Innjuois  lost  nearly  one 
hundred  :  Relation  de  la  NouvoUe 
Frano",  104!),  p.  13  ;  (iohat,  Relatio 
Historicn,  ]i.  79. 
''  CreujuuB,  Hist.  Canad.,  p.  543. 


!J 


I., 


tlieir 

two 

)  the 

I,  the 
'   St. 

imen 
ratch 
juois 

but, 
mde. 
id  to 

The 
Drise. 

con- 
icape 
day; 
itago 
jpent 

to  a 
made 

great 
efeat 
t  the 
ipted 
xiety 
actu- 
rtune 
ieph," 

thirty 
inched, 
led  or 
rly  one 
)uvolle 
Uelatio 

.543. 


rA-rK/.ii  j'OWr!  ij-f,  aiiiiis.iifj  5. J. 


HISTORY  OP  NEW  FRANCE. 


221 


-wlioso  fostivfil  occurred  on  tJio  lollowing  clay.'    Nor  were     1649. 

the  vows  of  the  afflicted  Huppliimts  unheard.      On   tlio  '-'^ ' 

morning  of  tho  10th  tidings  came  tliat  tlio  Iro(iuois  liad 
retreated  in  disorder,  as  thougli  seiztxl  with  a  panic  terror. 
But  tho  joy  inspiied  by  so  sudden  a  retreat  was,  ere  long, 
changed  into  mourning,  by  the  afflicting  intelligence 
received  of  the  two  missionaries  who  had  been  taken  on 
the  loth. 

From  St.  Ignatius  (to  which,  as  already  stated,  they  Fathers  da 
were  first  conducted)  they  were  led  back  to  St.  Louis,'  and  „mu!«'i'io- 
there  received  as  prisoners  of  war  usually  are.     They    'bu"ued? 
spared  them  the  less,  inasmuch  as  their  sentence  was 
passed,  and  it  was  resolved  to  carry  them  no  further. 
Father  de  Brebeuf,  whom  twenty  years  of  toil  well  adapted 
to  stifle  all  natural  sentiments ;  a  mental  character  of  a 
firmness  beyond  proof;   a  vii-tue  nurtured  in  the  ever- 


'  Kolation  de  la  N.  F.,  1049,  p.  13 ; 
Uobut,  Uelutio  Historica,  p.  83. 

^  TIitT(!  seeniB  no  authority  for 
this.  Bressnni  (Breve  Rclatioiio,  ])p. 
10!),  1 10)  and  Creuxius  (liistoria  Ca- 
nadonsis,  p.  ,038)  say  they  died  at 
St.  Ignatius.  Father  Charles  Oar- 
nier,  in  a  letter  of  April  25,  1049, 
ways  the  Iroquois  took  the  mission- 
aries to  their  fort,  a  league  or  so 
from  St.  Louis.  The  hodies  of  tho 
missionaries  were  carried  to  St. 
Mary's  Iiy  Francis  Malherhe,  after- 
wards a  .Jesuit  lay  brother :  C'otem- 
iwrary  I  ircular  in  Rapport  sur  les 
Missions  du  Diocese  do  Quebec,  No. 
17,  p.  .53.  Tliey  were  buried  on 
Sunday,  the  21st  of  March :  Rela- 
tion, KilO,  p.  15;  Gobat,  Relatio 
Historica,  p.  114.  Their  remains 
were  subsequently  removed  to  Que- 
bec ;  anil  the  head  of  Father  Bre- 
beuf, incased  in  a  silver  bust,  is  still 
preserved  ut  the  Hotel  Dieu  in  that 
city,  and  doubtless  a  ]iortruit,  as  it 
is  said  to  have  been  sent  by  his  fam- 
ily.    The  engraving  is  from  a  care- 


ful sketch  of  this  bust,  made  by  thf 
Rev.  Felix  Martin,  S.  J.  John  do 
Brebeuf— called  by  the  Hurons 
ErJwn — was  born  at  Bayeux,  in 
Normandy,  March  25,  1503,  of  a 
noble  family.  He  entered  the  So- 
ciety of  Jesus  at  Rouen.  Oct.  ,5, 1617, 
and  was  ordained  in  1022.  He  camo 
to  Canada  Juiuj  19,  1025,  and  was 
on  the  Huron  mission  from  l(i2D  to 
1029,  from  1034  to  1041,  and  from 
1041  to  his  death.  He  wrote  a  Hu- 
ron catechism  (published  si^parately 
and  in  Chaini)lain),  a  Huron  gram- 
mar, two  Relations,  and  lette-rs  pub- 
lished in  Carayon,  Doc.  Im'dits,  vol. 
xii.  For  his  life,  gco  Alegambe,  Tan- 
ner, Societas  Militans,  p.  533  ;  Bres- 
sani,  Breve  Relatione,  p.  107  ;  Rel. 
do  la  Nouvelle  France,  1049,  p.  17; 
Uobat,  Relatio  Historica,  p.  128  ;  also 
a  manuscript  of  1052,  "  Memoires 
touchant  les  Vertus  des  Peres  do 
None,  Jogues,  Daniel,  Brebeuf,  Lalle- 
mant,  (iarnier,  et  Clmbanel.''  Thero 
is  an  unpublished  life  by  Father 
F(<lix  Martin. 


1649. 


•     < 


niSTORT  OP  NEW  FRANCE. 

proximate  view  of  a  cniol  doatli,  and  carried  ho  far  as  to 
make  it  tlio  object  of  his  most  ardent  desires ;  warned, 
moreover,  by  more  tluvu  ouo  lieavenly  token  that  his  vows 
were  heard,  hiuglied  alike  at  their  threats  and  the  tortiiro 
itself :  but  the  sight  of  his  beloved  neophytes,  cruelly 
treated  before  his  eyes,  shed  deep  biitoruess  over  the  joy 
■which  he  felt  on  seeuig  liis  hopes  realized.' 

His  companion,  who  had  but  just  entered  the  apostolio 
career — to  which  he  brought  more  coui'age  than  strength, 
and  who  was  of  a  sensitive  and  delicate  constitution — was 
especially,  to  his  last  sigh,  a  great  subject  of  grief  and 
anxiety  to  Father  de  Brebeuf.  The  Iroquois  knew  well, 
at  once,  that  they  had  to  deal  with  a  man  who  would 
not  gratify  them  by  the  least  exhibition  of  weakness  ;  and 
as  though  ftjarful  that  he  would  impart  his  iutrei^idity 
to  others,  they,  after  a  time,  separatetl  him  from  the  mass 
of  prisoners,  made  him  ascend  a  scaflbld  alone,  and  fell 
upon  him  in  such  a  manner  that  they  seemed  beside  them- 
selves with  rage  and  despair. 

All  this  did  not  prevent  the  servant  of  God  from  speak- 
ing in  a  loud  voice — sometimes  co  the  Hurons,  who  no 
longer  saw,  though  they  heard  him  ;  sometimes  to  his  tor- 
turers, whom  ho  exhorted  to  fear  the  wrath  of  Heaven,  if 
they  continued  to  persecute  the  adorers  of  the  true  God. 
This  liberty  astonished  the  savages,  and  they  were  shocked 
by  it,  accustomed  as  they  were  to  endure  the  bravado  of 
their  prisoners  on  similar  occasions.  They  wished  to 
silence  him,  and  failing,  cut  off  his  lower  lip  and  the  ex- 
tremity of  his  nose,  applied  burning  torches  all  over  his 
body,  burnt  his  gums,  and  finally  ran  a  red-hot  iron  down 
his  throat.' 

The  invincible  missionary,  seeing  himself  deprived  of 


'  Relation  de  la  Nouvollo  France, 
1G49,  p.  15  ;  Mcmoiro  toiu^hant  los 
vurtiia  dcs  Pt'res  do  None,  etc.,  MS. ; 
Qobat,  Narrntio  ilistoricn,  p.  87. 

*  Uelntiim  de  la  Nouvellc  Fmnco, 


1649,  pp.  14, 15  ;  Creuxius,  Historia 
Canadensis,  p.  539  ;  Gobat,  Rclatio 
Historica,  p.  103.  But  there  is  no 
allu.«inn  to  the  hot  iron  being  thrust 
down  Ills  throat. 


HISTORY  OP  NEW  FRANCE. 


223 


speech  by  this  lust  stroke,  lunintaiuocl  an  assiuotl  couuto- 
nauce,  aud  so  firm  a  look,  that  he  still  seemed  to  give  the 
law  to  his  euemies.  A  momeut  after,  his  compauiou  was 
brought  to  him  iu  a  state  eapable  of  moving  a  heart  Hko 
his,  as  tender  and  compassionate  for  others'  ills  as  ho  was 
insensible  to  his  own.  The  young  religious  had  been  first 
stripped  naked,  and  then,  after  being  tortured  for  a  time, 
had  been  wrapped  from  head  to  foot  iu  fir-bark,  to  which 
they  now  prepared  to  set  fire. 

As  soon  as  ho  perceived  the  frightful  condition  to  .r'hich 
Father  de  Brebcuf  had  been  reduced,  ho  shuddered,  then 
addressed  him  in  the  words  of  the  apostle  :  "  Wo  have 
been  made  a  spectacle  to  the  world,  to  angels  and  to  men" 
(1  Col.  iv.  9).  Father  do  Brebcuf  rophcd  by  a  gentle 
inclination  of  the  head ;  aud  at  that  moment  Father  Lal- 
lemant,  finding  himself  alone,  ran  to  throw  himself  at  his 
feet,  respectfully  kissed  his  wounds,  and  conjured  him  to 
redouble  his  prayers  to  the  Almighty,  iu  order  to  obtain 
for  him  patience  aud  faith,  which,  as  he  added  with  much 
confusion,  he  saw  every  moment  at  the  point  of  escaping 
him.  He  was  instantly  seized  again,  and  fire  applied  to 
the  bark  with  wliich  he  was  covered.' 

His  executioners  stopped  for  a  time  to  enjoy  the  pleas- 
ure of  seeing  him  buru  slowly,  and  hear  the  sighs  and 
groans  which  ho  could  not  help  uttering.  Then  they  left 
him  for  a  season  to  heat  hatchets  red-hot,  and  making 
them  into  a  collar,  placed  them  on  the  neck  of  Father  de 
Brebeuf.  But  this  new  torture  did  not  shake  the  holy 
martyr's  constancy  more  than  the  others  had  done ;  aud 
as  the  savages  sought  some  now  torment,  to  endeavor  to 
crush  a  courage  which  maddened  them,  an  apostate  Huron 
cried  out  to  pour  boiling  water  on  the  heads  of  the  two 


1649. 


'  T!otU  were  envolopcd  in  bark, 
which  was  set  on  firo :  Kelation, 
ICIU,  p.  14;  Oeii  ins,  Historia  Cu- 
nadeut^is,  pp.  530,  540.  Some  of  the 
duUdltt  huri!  givon  as  to  Father  Lule- 


mant  do  not  appear  in  the  Rolations. 
Tho  nt'WB  of  the  dcatli  of  Daniel, 
Brebeuf,  and  ijalcniant  readied  Quo- 
bee,  July  20.  1U40 :  Journal  of  the 
Sui)erior. 


I  r 


224  UISTORY  OF  NEW  FRANCE. 

1649.  nussiouarics,  iu  puuiHhment  for  casting  rold  wntor  ou  tho 
licads  of  otluTH,  ami  tlieroby  causing  all  tho  miseiios  of 
Lis  nation.  Tho  Irociuois  i"lishit  1  tho  ronnsel.  "Water 
was  hoatod,  a)id  .slowly  pourod  over  the  heads  of  the  two 
confessors  of  Christ. 

Meanwhile,  the  dense  smoko  which  rose  from  tho  bark 
iu  which  Father  Lallemaut  was  wrapped  filh)d  his  mouth, 
and  for  a  time  he  was  unable  to  articulate  a  single  word. 
His  bonds  being  consumed,  ho  j'aised  hi.s  hands  to  heaven, 
to  implore  the  help  of  Him  who  is  tho  strength  of  tho 
weak ;  but  they  beat  his  hands  down  again  with  heavy 
blows  of  ropes.  At  last,  when  the  two  bodies  weie  all  one 
wound,  this  Hi>ectacle,  far  from  horrifying  tho  Iroquois, 
only  put  them  in  a  good  humor.  They  said  to  one  an- 
other that  tho  flesh  of  tho  French  must  be  good,  and  they 
slashed  ofl'  largo  slices  from  both  and  ate  them.  Then 
adding  mockery  to  cruelty,  they  said  to  Father  do  13ro- 
beuf :  "  You  assured  us,  but  a  moment  smce,  that  the 
more  we  suflfer  on  earth  tho  more  happy  wo  shall  be  in 
heaven.  Out  of  friendship  for  you  wo  study  to  im  •  se 
your  sufferings,  and  you  will  be  indebted  to  us  for  it. 

Some  moments  alter  they  took  off  his  scalp,  and,  as  he 
still  breathed,  a  ch.'ef  opened  his  side ;  and  as  tho  blood 
welled  copiously  out,  all  tho  savages  ran  up  to  drink  it. 
Then  the  same  one  who  laid  him  open,  seeing  the  heart, 
tore  it  out  smd  devoured  it. 

Father  do  ]^rebeuf  was  of  the  diocese  of  Bayeux,  and 
uncle  to  the  t.auslator  of  Lucan's  Pharsalia.  Ho  was  of 
commanding  stature,  and,  notwithstanding  his  extreme 
abstinence  and  twenty  years  of  a  most  pauiful  apostleship, 
he  was  quite  corpulent.  His  life  was  a  constant  heroism  ; 
his  death,  tho  astonishment  of  his  very  executioners.' 

As  soon  as  he  had  cxijired,  Father  Lallemant  was 
led  back  to  the  cabin  where  his  martyrdom  had  com- 


'  Relation  de  la  Nouvolle  France,       '■*  Relation  de  la  Nouvelle  France, 
1640,  p.  14.  1040,  p.  25. 


ItlSTOnV  OF  NKW   FRANCR. 


fias 


moticcd.'  It  is  not  oven  certain  wlictlicr  ho  ronminod  near 
Fatlior  do  Brtibcnf  till  the  latter  breathed  his  last  sigh.  Ho 
had  been  brought  there  only  to  weaken  his  companion  and 
bend,  if  possible,  that  hero's  courage.  It  is,  at  least, 
authenticii'.ed  by  tho  testimony  of  several  Iroquois,  who 
wore  actors  in  that  tragic  scene,  that  Father  do  Brebeuf 
(lied  on  the  Ifith,  and  was  only  three  hours  at  the  stake  ; 
wliile  the  torture  of  Father  Lalleniaut  lasted  seventeen 
hours,  BO  that  ho  died  only  on  the  17th. 

Bo  that  as  it  may,  as  soon  as  ho  ro-outored  his  cabin, 
ho  received  a  hatchet-stroko  under  tho  hit  ear,  which 
clove  open  his  skull  and  dashed  out  his  brains.  An  eye 
was  then  plucked  out,  and  a  burning  coal  put  in  its  stead. 

This  is  all  that  is  known  of  what  ho  underwent  till  he 
expu-ed-  :ill  v/ho  witnessed  his  death  contenting  them- 
selves with  saying  that  his  oxeeutioners  outdid  each  other 
in  cruelty.  They  added,  that  fi'om  time  to  time  he  uttered 
shrieks  capable  of  piercing  tho  hardest  hearts,  and  that 
ho  sometimes  seemed  besido  himself ;  but  that  ho  was 
instantly  seen  to  rise  above  pain,  and  offer  ins  sufferings 
to  God  Avith  admirable  fervor.  Thus  tho  ilesh  was  often 
weak,  and  ready  to  yield  ;  but  the  spirit  was  ever  ready  to 
raise  it  up,  and  sustained  it  to  tho  end." 

Father  Lallemiint  was  a  native  of  Paris,  where  both  his 
father  and  grandfather  had  held  tho  office  of  lieutenant- 
crimiuel.  He  was  extremely  thin,  and  had  only  been  six 
mouths  in  New  Franco.  Ho  died  in  his  thii'ty-niuth 
year." 


'  Tho  Kelation  has  nothing  of 
this. 

'  Rulation  dc  hi  Nnuvcllc  France, 
l(i4i)  ip.  K>\  and  (Julmt  (Hclntio  IIU- 
torica,  iip.  lOti-l'J)  say  both  oycs. 
They  describe  the  bodies  as  found, 
which  gave  tlie  bi  sit  tentimony  of 
the  cruelties  pniclLseil. 

'  Fatlier  (iiiiiiirl  I,aleiniuit  was 
born  Oct.  ;!1,  Kill),  lie  entered  tlio 
Society  of  .lesiiB,   March  24,   1U130, 

Vol.  II.— 15 


1649. 


nonlli  of 

Kiiihnr 

I.ulumunt. 


and  followed  his  uncles  to  Canada. 
III!  arrived  at  Quebec,  Sept.  20, 
104(i,  but  was  on  tlie  Huron  niisHion 
only  I'nini  Aiip;.  (>,  KilS:  Journal  of 
Superior  of  .Jesuits,  .July  and  August, 
1048.  His  Indian  name  was  Ati- 
ronto.  He  signed  liis  name  both 
I.aleniant  and  Ijalenunt,  although 
till'  other  nieiubefs  of  the  family 
used  the  first  furni.  'Phut  of  Charle- 
voix (Lullemant)  has  no  authority. 


\\ 


i 


220 


niSTOIlY  OF  NKW  FUANCR. 


;f 


1649.         After  surli  Hcvoro  chrcks,  tin'  Hiuihih  iittcrly  tltHimirnl 

^"^"y^^  of  luMiig  a\)\o  to  hold  tliiir  f,'niiiii(l  ;  iiiid  in  Ichh  tlmii  a 

Dl.pomion  week  all  tlio  towns  aniuud  St.  Pliny's  wcic  (IcMcrtoil.'     Of 
ortiio  .  ... 

HuroM.    nioHt  tlu'i't)  rciiiiiintil  only  lli(>  site  winch  the}  Imil  occu- 

l)ii'(l,  the  inluiliitants  having  fired  thcni  aH  thoy  rotroatcd, 

Bonio  to  the  forcMtH,  others  to  the  neighlioriiig  tribes.     Ah 

those   who   remained   at   St.    Mary's   (liirst   not   (^o    out, 

beeause  they  had  no  doubt  but  that  the  [nxjuois  still  kept 

the  field,  famine  was  soon  felt  in  tho  town,  and  there  was 

no  apparent  lueaim  of  a  speedy  remedy.     This  gave  tho 

missionaries  the  idea  of  gathering  the  scattered  reninanta 

of  the  nation  in  some  (juito  remoto  sjiot,  that  they  might 

live  exempt   from  fear  of  being  disturbed  there  by  an 

enemy  whom  they  were  no  longer  in  u  position  to  resist.' 

Mont  rotlro      Thev  proposed  Manitoidino  Island,  which  lies  north  of 

to  St.  .lo-  J    I       I  _  _  ' 

scph'H  liil-  Lake  Huron.     This  island  is  about  forty  leagues  long  from 
aud. 

east  to  west,  but  very  narrow  across.     The  shores  abound 

in  fish  ;  the  soil  in  many  \)Ioces  -cry  good  ;  and  as  it  was 
not  inhabited,  it  contained  an  innnense  cpumtity  of  deer. 
Still  the  missionaries'  jiroposition  was  not  received,  for 
tho  Hurons  could  not  bring  themselves  to  so  distant  an 
exile  from  their  country,  which  they  were  loth  to  abandon, 
though  without  courage  to  defend ;  and  tho  missionaries 
were  obliged  to  yield  to  their  wishes  and  follow  them  to 
St.  Jo.scph's  Island,  which  is  but  a  short  distance  from 
tlic  mainland  where  they  were.' 

This  transmigration  took  ^ilace  on  the  25tli  of  May  ;*  and 
in  a  short  time  there  voho  on  this  little  island  a  town  of  a 
hundred  cabins — some  of  eight,  others  of  ten,  fires — with- 
out counting  a  very  groat  niunber  of  families  scattered  in 


'  St.  Mary'B  wm  situated  on  tho 
River  Wyo,  near  Pcnctanguislieno  : 
Martin's  JJicsHiiiii,  p.  i)0. 

'  iiri'Bsani.  Bri'vi-  Hclntioms  p. 
123  ;  IJcIiitio.^  •'.!■  la  Nmivi'llc  Franco, 
l'i4!»,  !).•,>.") ;  Golmt,  IM.  llif-t.,  \>.  U)[). 

'  Uol'itiim  dp  lu  Noiivcllo  I'Vanrc, 
1C49,  11.27;  Creuxiuw,  lliatoria  C"a- 


nadonsis,  p.  667 ;  flobat,  Relatio 
U  Ktiirica,  p.  113.  ('hutiiiKinot,  in 
lii.s  letter  of  June  1,  104U,  ti'xws  tho 
Indian  unme,  AhHi^ndoc.  According 
to  Rev.  r.  Mariin.  it  is  the  prcHent 
Clmrity  or  Cliristian  Island,  near 
PcnctangiiiBliene. 
'  May  l.j  :  Rcl.  do  X.  F,,  1049,  p.  30. 


IIISTOIIT  OF  NEW  FnANCE. 


vor. 


tlio  nni^hltorhood  niul  iiloiiR  tlio  Hlioro,  for  gi-outor  cast)  in      1649. 
hunting  ami  fishing.'     TIh»  Huninior  woro  awny  peiii'cfully  ^■^^r— 
cnoi'gli ;  fervor  grow  up  iiinid  tliJH  tnuisiilant  li  (.'hristiivn  'rimirfcr. 
Hock  ;  and  tho  niissionarii'H  liad  tlio  i-onwolatio.'  of  baptiz- 
ing RH  many  aH  tiirco  tliousand  idoIatcrH.     iJiit  ns  tlioy 
planted  littlo  or  nothing,  an  tlm  fiHliory  was  unproductivo, 
and  tlio  rcsoureos  of  the  chaHo  soon  oxhauHtod,  tlu^y  had 
not  gone  far  into  the  autumn  before  jinvisitmH  began  to  fail. 
They  w»a-e  Hoon  after  reiliieed  to  extremities  wliieh  horrify 
U8.    It  is  enough  to  mention  that  they  were  driven  to  dis- 
inter half-docayed  bodies,  to  devour  them  ;  that  mothers 
nto  the  baboH  that  starved  to  death  on  tlioir  breasts  ;  and 
children   did   not   shrink  from  feeding  on  tho  bodies   of 
those  to  whom  they  owed  their  being.' 

A  famine,  productive  of  such  terrible  scenes,  could  not 
but  entail  great  diseases.  In  fact,  maladies  broke  out  of 
a  contagious  eharaeter,  and  tho  more  d«>structivo  among 
people  who  cauuut  control  themselves  sufhciently  to  avoid 
contagion.  But  it  was  amid  this  very  desolation  that  tho 
evangelical  laborers  gathered  tho  most  precious  fruits  of 
their  labors.  All  these  scourges  and  horrors  of  death 
ever  before  their  eyes,  found  among  tho  Christi  ms  only 
submissive  hearts.  There  was  not  ono  of  these  neophytes 
who  wavered  tho  least  in  tho  most  perfect  resignation  to 
tho  orders  of  Heaven — who  did  not  kiss  with  respect, 
and  even  with  thanksgiving,  the  hand  that  smoto  him.' 

These  are  the  virtues  to  which  tho  Indians  are  most 
inclined  by  their  oalm  and  patient  character.  Their  natu- 
ral sloth  and  indolence  dim  somewhat  tho  lustre,  and  they 


'  On  Iciiviiif!;  St.  Miiry'a,  Juno  M, 
1(>40  (Hfliition,  Kino,  p.  ;)).  the  niis- 
Klnnnries  Kut  fire  to  nil  tlieir  luisHidti- 
buil(linf;s,  tutally  dcRtroying  tho 
fruit  of  tluiir  lonj;  lubom  of  nino  or 
ton  years  :  Cniixiiis,  Hixtoria  Ciiim- 
d<'n8is,  p.  557  ;  HolntiDn  ilo  In  Nou- 
vello  France,  101!),  p.  30  ;  l(i50,  p.  2. 

'  Relation,  KioO,  p.  4  ;  ("iirnyon. 
Documents  Ineclits,  p.  848 ;  Creux- 


iii8,  HiNtorin  CanadensiH,  p.  5G0 ; 
Hressani,  Urevo  Holatione,  p.  124. 
lM>r  an  aceount  of  tho  KutVerinijs, 
seo  also  Chaumonot,  Autobiogro- 
j)hie,  \)\i.  02-4. 

■' Kelatidii,  1050,  p.  4;  Ih'issani, 
Hreve  Hektione,  p.  125 ;  ('arayon, 
Documenta  Inedits,  xii.,  p.  240  j 
Cieuxius,  lliBtoria  Canadunsis,  p. 
SOI. 


""^ 


' 


f  I 


228  HISTORY  OF  NEW  FRANCE, 

1649.  aro  perhaps  tlie  only  Cluistiaiis  to  -wliom  it  conlJ  be  said, 
^■"■~Y-~-'  "  Do  for  self-iircscrvation  what  you  arc  doing  for  tlio  sal- 
vation of  your  soids."  Tct  it  is  soiiie-vvhat  marvellous  to 
see  mcu,  just  fresh  from  their  old  prejudices  against  Chris- 
tianity, not  relapsing  into  them  on  an  occasion  so  apt  to 
throw  them  back ;  and  their  faith  must  have  been  solid 
indeed  to  stand  unshaken  amid  so  many  disasters,  which 
the  enemies  of  the  gospel  never  failed  to  ascribe  to  its 
introduction. 
En8hnp.8of  To  crown  their  misfortunes,  it  was  heard  that  threj 
of  St.  I'ohn.  hundred  Iroquois  were  in  the  field;  and  as  it  was  dlu 
known  m  which  direction  they  would  turn  their  arms,  tho 
sachems  of  the  nation  sent  in  all  directions  to  warn  tho 
people  to  be  on  their  guard.  This  advice  especially 
regarded  the  Tiounontatez  Hurons,'  who,  after  the  evacu- 
ation of  St.  Marj-'s,  were  most  exposed  to  tho  incursions 
of  tho  enemj'.  Th'jir  canton  was  one  of  the  most  popu- 
lous, the  single  town  which  bore  tho  name  of  St.  John 
containing  more  than  six  hundred  families.  The  enter- 
prise of  the  three  hundred  Iroquois  war,  there  regarded  as 
a  bravado ;  and  to  show  that  they  did  not  fear  them, 
all  who  could  carry  arms  took  the  field  in  search  of  them. 
The  enemy,  soon  informed  of  this  imprudent  step,  re- 
solved to  take  advantage  of  it.  Adopting  a  false  route, 
they  advanced  by  a  circuitous  march,  and  arrived  in  sight 
of  St.  John's  at  daybreak."  Father  Charles  Garnier  and 
Father  NataUs  Chabanel  had  for  some  time  directed  a 


'  This  tribe,  the  Tionoutates — or, 
ns  our  early  writers  give  it,  Dinon- 
(Iftdies — were  not  ralk\l  Ilurons  l)y 
tlie  early  French.  Snjrard,  iu  his  Dic- 
tidiiary  (verlio  ^(Uionii)  gives  them 
as  a  distinrt  nation,  "  Les  Petunonx, 
Quieunontati'rononb."  boo  also  Ilis- 
t(.ire  du  Cumidii,  !>.  209.  Their 
country  lay  i'  ilienKnintiiin8((?»(V«- 
iiontiiui''  meiins  )iiiniiil<iiii),  on  the 
B.jores  of  Lake  Huron,  tliirty-tive  or 
forty  miles  from  St.  Mary's :  Bres- 


sani,  Brevo  Relatione,  p.  6.  Thoy 
raised  and  sold  tobacco,  whence  tho 
French  called  them  Petuns  or  Petu- 
neux.  Tliei r t wo tov.us were, Ekaren- 
niondi  or  St.  Malhias,  and  Oliarita  or 
St.  John  the  Evangelist :  Letter  of 
Father  C.  (Jaruier,  Aug.  15,  1048. 

'  Creuxins  (llistoria  t"auad("nsis, 
p.  rAU)  says  that  the  attack  was 
made  towards  evening.  lirc-^saiii 
(linve  Kelationo,  )i.  Ill)  and  tho 
Itelation    do    la    Jsoiivelle    Franco, 


HISTORY  OP  NEW  FRANCE. 


229 


Humorous  Cliristian  congregation  tliero ;  but  two  clays 
before,  tlio  latter  had  been  called  elsewhere,  and  Father 
Garnier  remained  alone.  He  was  actually  visiting 
cabins,  wlien  the  Iroquois  raised  the  warwhoop. 


164.9. 


the  Their  town 
f^     .         isdoKtnivod 

beemg  i,y  Uic  I'ro. 

at  a  glance  that  all  was  lost,  he  first  ran  to  the  chapel,  ''""'"■ 
which  he  found  full  of  panic-stricken  Christians.  He  told 
these  that  there  was  no  safety  except  in  flight.  Ho  ex- 
horted them  to  lose  no  time  in  bootless  deUberation  or 
unavailing  tears.  He  said  that  he  would  himself  go  and 
die  to  faciUtate  their  escape,  and  that  as  long  as  ho  had  a 
breath  of  life  he  would  not  abandon  those  Avho  should 
need  his  ministry ;  and  he  begged  them  never  to  forget 
the  lessons  he  had  given  them.' 

He  immediately  went  out  and  returned  to.  the  cabins.  Heroic 
some  of  which  were  already  o-.  fire.  He  baptized  all  tlie  Fiuher'("L 
catechumens  whom  he  met,  and  at  last  reached  the  open  "'"''• 
square,  where  naught  but  dead  and  Avounded  were  to  be 
seen.  Some  implored  him  to  retire,  but  this  counsel  ho 
utterly  rejected.  He  remained  amid  the  carnage,  animat- 
ing his  beloved  neophytes  by  his  presence  and  words  to 
die  well.  The  Iroquois  seemed  for  a  time  to  admire  and 
respect  him  ;  Init  at  last  one  of  the  savages  discharged  his 
musket  at  him.  One  ball  entered  the  lower  part  of  his 
chest ;  the  other,  grazmg  the  belly,  sank  into  his  thigh. 
He  at  once  fell  senseless,  and  his  nnirderer,  believing 
him  dead,  stripped  him.  Eecovering  .some  time  after,  and 
hearing  no  one  near,  he  raised  his  head  ;  and  perceiving, 
some  ten  paces  from  him,  a  Huron  who  was  breatliing  his 
last,  he  made  an  efibrt  to  rise  and  go  to  absolve  liim,  but 
he  feu  instantly.  Again  he  rose,  but  he  was  unable  to 
take  a  step ;  and  at  that  moment  an  Iroquois  ran  up,  who 
twice  sank  his  tomahawk  into  his  vitals,  and  he  expired 
on  the  spot,  in  the  act,  and,  so  to  say,  on  tho  very  bosom, 
of  charity.' 


1050  (p.  8;  muke  tlic  error  of  t]u:  Po-    Crcuxius,  Hist,  ("nniid.,  ji.  5(!.t ;  Bretj. 
tuns  to  liovo  b('(>n  in  not  waiting.         sani,  Bievo  Rcliitiono,  ji.  114. 

•  Relation  de  la  N.  F.,  1050,  p.  9  ;        '  Relation  do  la  Nouvollo  France, 


I 


230 


HISTORY  OF  NEW  FRANCE. 


1649. 


Death  of 

Fntlier 

Chubaiiol. 


.    I 


Father  Garnier  was  a  native  of  Paris,  and  to  enter  the 
ajTOstolic  career  had  sacrificed  a  brilliant  fortune,  resisting 
the  tears  of  hid  family,  who  loved  him  tenderly.  He  made 
this  sacrifice  too  generously  not  to  merit  from  God  the 
grace  of  consummating  it  in  the  most  heroic  manner.' 

Father  Chabanel  had  been,  as  wo  liavo  seen,  recalled 
from  St.  John's  two  days  before  the  desolation  of  that 
town,  the  motive  of  his  recall  being  that  the  Superior  did 
not  wish  to  have  two  missionaries  at  the  same  time  iu  a 
place  so  exposed  as  that  to  the  inroads  of  the  Iroquois. 
But  they  were  both  equally  ripe  for  heaven  ;  and  if  one, 
by  obedience,  escaped  the  steel  of  the  Iroquois,  this  very 
obedience  obtained  for  him  death  in  another  form,  which, 
while  it  possessed  less  lustre  in  the  eyes  of  men,  was  per- 
haps none  the  less  precious  before  Him  who  judges  accord- 
ing to  the  dispositions  of  our  heart,  and  who  accounts  no 
less  what  Ave  have  ciesired  to  do  for  his  sake  than  what  we 
really  accomplish  and  suffer. 

Father  Chabanel  left  St.  John's  on  the  6th  or  6tli  of 
Decembe",  accompanied  by  some  Chvistions.  The  night 
that  followed  Father  Garnier's  death  surprised  them  in  a 
wood ;  and  all  his  fellow-travellers  having  fallen  asleep, 
he  heard  the  yells  of  Iroquois  and  the  death-song  of 
Huron  prisoners.  Ho  awakened  his  party,  who  needed  no 
second  counsel  to  escape.  He  atti'mi)tud  to  follow  them, 
but  not  being  as  fleet  of  foot,  soon  lost  sight  of  them  ;  and 
from  that  time  it  was  never  known  absolutely  what 
became  of  him.  Some  time  after,  a  Huron  apostate  said 
that  he  had  met  him  on  the  bank  of  a  river,  which  he 
helped  him  to  cross,  and  that  they  then  parted  ;"but  there 
were  subsequently  many  gi'ounds  for  suspecting  the  wretch 


1650,  p.  9  ;  Creuxius,  Historia  Cana- 
densis, p.  505  ;  Cuiayon,  Doc.  Iiif'd., 
xii.,  p.  248  ;  Mcmoires,  otc,  p.  247. 

'  Fatlicr  ( 'Imrlcs  ( inmii'r  was  born 
at  Paris,  in  I (!()."),  of  a  (Jistin;r"rj'mil 
and  oininontly  pious  fdmll.-,  several 


of  the  members  having  entered  re- 
ligious orders.  After  a  holy  youth, 
he  entered  the  Society  of  Jesus, 
Sept.  r',  1C24,  and  thrcniglioul  Ida 
ili'o  seems  to  have  imi)ressed  aliko 
the  cultivated  white  man  and  the 


HISTORY  OF  NEW  FRANCE. 


231 


1649. 


of  having  killed  him,  either  to  secure  his  effects,  or  out 

of  mere  hatred  to  religion.*  ^  ^-y—-^ 

While  the  Iroquois  were  thus  desolating  the  Huron  Somoiiu- 
church,  a  new  storm,  excited  by  Hurons  themselves,  had   '"spiro"" 
well-nigh  swept  away  the  remaining  pastors,  and  with  "fi'itsloi'i*!* 
them  all  hope  of  any  restoration  of  Christianity.    Idolaters      *""*■ 
of  that  nation,  which  still  formed  the  majority  in  a  town 
to  which  the  missionaries  had  given  the  name  of  St, 
Matthew,  concluding  that  the  only  means  of  putting  an 
end  to  their  misfortunes  was  to  rid  themselves  of  the 
preachers  of  the  gospel,  resolved  on  the  step.     The  better 
to  carry  out  their  design,  they  undertook  to  bring  Chris- 
tians into  it,  and  with  this  view  declared  that  they  had 
seen  belts,  sent  by  the  governor-general  of  the  French  to 
the  Iroquois  cantons,  to  urge  them  to  drive  the  Hurons  to 
extremity— assuring  them  that  the  missionaries  who  were 
among  them  would  deUver  the  Hurons  up  into   their 
hands." 

After  what  had  occurred,  the  calumny  had  not  even  a 
show  of  probability.      But  is  this   always  required  of 


untutored  Indian  with  a  sense  of 
his  more  than  ordinnry  holiness. 
After  his  arrival  in  Canada,  in  KiSO, 
he  was  at  oneo  sent  to  Upper  Cana- 
da, and  spent  all  the  rest  of  his  lil'o 
on  the  Huron  mission,  entirely  dis- 
engaged from  earthly  things,  and 
devoted  to  his  great  work  :  Creux- 
iuB,  Ilistoria  Canadensis,  pp.  5C7-73 ; 
Bressani,  Breve  Relatione,  p.  114; 
Relation  de  la  Nouvelle  France, 
1C50,  pp.  9  15 ;  Tanner,  Societas 
Militans,  p.  539  ;  Memoiies  sur  les 
Vertus,  MS. ;  Lettres  Ini'(lit(>.s  du  P. 
Charles  Qarnier,  MS.  ;  Alegambe, 
Heroes,  p.  059 ;  Drews'  Fasti,  iv.,  p. 
295  ;  Chaiinionot,  Autobiograpliie  ; 
Eulogium  P.  C.  Unrnier,  1(M9,  MS.  ; 
Ragueiieau,  Vie  de  la  M.  Catherine 
de  St.  Augustin,  p.  54.  His  Indian 
name  was  Oaracha. 


'  This  missionary  was,  as  subse- 
quently proved,  killed  by  Louis 
Honareenhax,  a  Huron  opostate : 
Ragueneau,  Menioires  gar  Ics  Ver- 
tus, etc.  Father  NiUalis  Chahanel 
was  a  native  of  the  south  of  Franco, 
born  in  1013.  He  entered  the  So- 
ciety of  Jesus  at  t\u',  age;  of  seven- 
teen. He  was  sent  to  Canada  in 
1043,  and  labored  among  II  iirnns  and 
Algonquins — nvcrconiing  an  intense 
repuirnanco  to  the  Indiau.s  and  tlieir 
life  :  Relation  do  la  Nauv.  France, 
1050,  p.  10  ;  Creuxius,  Ilistoria  Ca- 
nadensis, pp.  573-8 ;  Bressani,  Breve 
Relatione,  p.  115  ;  Martin's  edition, 
]).  !J75  ;  Ragueneau,  Vie  de  la  M. 
Catlierino  de  St.  Augustin,  p.  54. 

'  Relation  d(;  la  Nouvelle  Franco, 
1050,  p.  19  ;  Creuxius,  Ilistoria  Ca- 
nadimsis,  p.  580. 


1650. 


232 


i6so. 


Tho  firm- 
ness of  two 
oftlio  i\\- 
tlierailiB- 
conccrts 
tbuir  mcn- 
BurcB. 


Einsulnr  iii- 

teriiositions 

ol  I'rovi- 

deiioe  in 

buliulfof 

Christinns. 


HISTORY  OF  NEW  FRANCE. 

calumniators  before  crediting  tlieir  words'  And  have 
tho  most  polished  nations  a  right  to  reproach  savages  on 
this  point  ?  There  is,  then,  no  very  great  reason  to 
wonder  that  these  words  made  an  impression  on  people 
who  no  longer  knew  to  what  to  ascribe  the  misfortunes 
that  overwhelmed  them.  Moreover,  those  who  circulated 
tho  reports  took  care  to  cloak  their  design  with  a  coloring 
of  zeal  for  the  pubUc  good ;  and  in  fact,  they  asked  of 
those  whom  they  seduced  only  not  to  oppose  them. 

A  few  days  after,  two  missionaries'  arriveJ  at  St. 
Matthew,  and  on  entering  the  village  were  much  surprised 
to  hear  the  cries  usually  made  when  prisoners  were 
brought  in.  They  kept,  however,  an  unmoved  coimte- 
nance,  and  •  oiie  durst  lay  hands  on  them.  The  conspira- 
tors contented  themselves  with  hooting,  which  the  mis- 
sionaries despised.  They  visited  all  the  cabins,  and  heard 
aU  that  had  been  said  about  them.  They  saw  the  great- 
ness of  the  peril  in  which  they  were,  but  betrayed  no 
alarm.  This  assurance,  and  the  conviction  felt  by  many 
that  the  God  of  the  Christians  had  bound  the  hands  of 
thoir  enemies,  opened  tho  eyes  of  the  most  prejudiced, 
and  before  tho  close  of  the  day  no  less  than  seventeen 
sought  baptism.' 

From  time  to  time.  Heaven  gave  striking  manifestations 
of  visible  protection  over  the  pastors  and  theii'  flocks.  A 
Huron,  taken  in  battle,  was  on  the  point  of  being  bound 
to  the  stake,  to  be  burned.  He  fervently  asked  God  to  be 
dehvered  from  that  terrible  form  of  -death,  and  his  prayer 
was  instantly  heard.  He  was  unbound,  and  his  life 
spared,  to  the  great  astonishment  of  all.  Even  those 
who  spared  him  could  not  explain  why  they  had  done  so.' 

A  good  old  woman  of  St.  Joseph's  Island — who,  of  all 
the  prayers  that  they  had  endeavored  to  teach  her,  had 


'  Father  Leonard  Garreau  and  Fa-  '  Relation,  1 050,  p.  20.  The  seven- 

thor  Adriiin  (irelon.    Tho  Inttorsub-  teen  woro  not  l)!ii)ti7,(!d  the  first  day. 

Boqiu'ntly,  in  Cliina,  met  one  of  his  The  miMio.mrics  were  not  so  rnpid. 

old  llurun  liock;  Journul,  p.  00.  '  Peter  Outoiire  ;  Rel.,  1050,  p.  21. 


\    i 


HISTORY  OP  NEW  FRANCE. 


233 


been  able  to  retain  only  tlicse  words,  "  Jesixs,  have  mercy  1650. 
on  me'" — while  sailing  on  Lake  Huror,  was  overtaken  by  '■""~y^-' 
such  intense  cold,  that  all  who  accompanied  her  died. 
She  said  her  ordinary  prayer  with  all  the  fervor  of  her 
heart ;  and  she  afterwards  declared,  that  every  time  she 
repeated  it,  a  sensible  warmth  animated  her,  which  lasted 
till  relief  came.  If  this  result  is  not  attributed  to  a 
miracle,  we  must  recognize  in  it  a  fervor  of  mind  strong 
enough  to  act  on  the  senses,  which  is  one  of  the  great 
marvels  of  grace.' 

Famine,  and  sickness,  its  inevitable  sequent,  had  driven  New  mis- 
this  woman  and  many  others,  persons  oi  every  age  and  tho  Uurona. 
sex,  to  leave  St.  Joseph's  Isle  in  midwinter.  They  sup- 
posed the  ice  strong  enough  to  bear  them  ;  but  it  broke 
under  them,  drowning  many,  while  others  perished  of 
cold.  Several  other  bands  took  refuge  in  out-of-the-way 
places,  where  they  thought  they  would  be  secure  against 
the  pursuit  of  the  Iroquois  ;  biit  these  savages  discovered 
their  retreat,  and  committed  a  fearful  carnage  among 
those  wretched  people,  who,  happily  for  them,  had  not 
left  their  island  without  putting  in  order  the  affairs  of 
their  conscience.' 

Those  who  remained  at  St.  Joseph's,  not  amounting  to 
three  hundred  in  number,  learning  tho  sad  fate  of  their 
brethren,  had  no  doubt  but  that  the  Iroquois  would  attack 
them  Avithout  delay  ;  and  after  holding  many  councils  on 
their  best  course  to  adopt  in  order  to  avoid  the  same  fate, 
they  came  to  this  conclusion.  The  most  imjjortant  men 
went  to  Father  Eaguoneau,  who  then  governed  the  mis- 
sion, and  told  him  that  in  the  deplorable  state  to  which 
they  were  reduced  they  could  see  but  one  single  means  t 
preventing  the  total  ruin  of  their  nation.*     This  was,  that 

'  Jesous  tftitonr.  p.  579  ;  Rap;uoiioau,  Lrttcr  of  Mnrcli 

'  Relation  do  la  Nouvello  Franco,  13,  10/iO,  iu  Ciirayou,  xii.,  p.  202. 

1050,  p.  2;S.  *  H<Oation  de  I'u  \.  F.,  1050,  p.  24 ; 

'  Relation  tie  la  Nouvellt;  France,  Rrcssani,  Bicve   Relatione,  p.  125  ; 

1050,  p.  24 ;  Crouxius,  Hist.  Canad.,  Creuxius,  Hist.  Canadensis,  p.  584. 


Many  de- 
seciiii  to 
Quebco. 


234 


HISTORY  OP  NEW  FRA^X'E. 


i- 


QuobiiC. 


1650.  tho  Fathers  slioulil  pvit  tlicmsclvos  at  tliou'  head,  iinito  all 
""~f"~^  the  dispersed  Hurous  who  could  bo  got  together,  and  lead 
EmiKrntr  to  them  to  Quebec,  where,  under  tho  jirotcction  of  the  French 
fort,  and  of  their  father,  Ouonthio,  they  could  peacefully 
cultivate  the  lands  that  might  bo  assigned  to  them,  and 
where  they  would  only  think  of  employing  in  God's  service 
the  days  that  were  spared  to  them.' 

Before  replying.  Father  Eagueneau  wished  to  consult 
the  other  missionaries  who  wore  in  the  neighborhood,  and 
all  agreed  with  the  Indians.  This  seemed,  in  fact,  the 
only  resource  left  to  this  ill-starred  peojilo.  All  the  comi- 
try  was  in  the  utmost  consternation.  Nothing  was  to  be 
seen  but  towns  destroyed  or  abandoned,  already  begin- 
ing  to  swarm  with  wild  beasts,  whoso  ^ilaco  in  the  forests 
and  mountains  the  men,  women,  and  children  had  gone  to 
occupy.  There  was  not,  indeed,  a  moment  to  lose,  if  they 
wished  to  save  the  sad  remnants  of  a  nation  once  so  flour- 
ishing." 

They  accordingly  began  their  march*  without  further 
deliberation,  and  without  very  well  knowing  how  to  livo 
by  tho  way  ;  but  famine  stared  them  equally  in  the  face  if 
they  remained  in  tho  island  or  the  woods.  The  danger, 
too,  of  falling  into  the  hands  of  some  Iroquois  party  was 
equally  great ;  for  it  is  true  that  the  smallest  force  of  war- 
riors would  have  sufficed  to  cut  to  pieces  all  this  confused 
multitude,  panic-stricken  and  reduced,  by  hardships  and 
disease,  to  extreme  weakness.  They  chose  the  route  by 
tho  great  river  of  the  Outouais  ;  and  although  fi-esh  trails 
of  Iroquois  were  met  day  by  day,^  they  were  so  fortunate 
as  to  escape  being  discovered  by  those  savages.  About 
midway  those  poor  exiles   met  Father   Bressani,   who, 


'  Relation  do  la  Nouvcllo  Franco, 
1650,  1).  24;  Creuxius,  Ilistoria  Cor 
nadcnsis,  p.  hSo ;  Bressani,  Breve 
Rclntl<)iio,^|).  1313. 

^  lit'liitiim  do  lii  Nouvelle  France, 
1050,  p.  25  ;  Cri'usius,  Uistoria  Car 
uadeusis,  p.  586. 


3  They  left  St.  Joseph's  Island, 
June  10,  1050— Bressani  (Breve  Re- 
latione) myn,  in  May.  They  reached. 
Quel)ec,  July  28,  1050  :  Relation  de 
la  Nouvelle  France,  1050,  p.  28. 

■*  The  country  was  almost  a  des- 
ert :  Relation,  1050,  p.  20. 


niSTORY  OP  NEW  FRANCE. 


235 


Deiilh  of 
Atiruuta, 


having  wintered   at  Quebec,  wus   returning,  pretty  well      1650. 
atteniled,  to  hia  old  mission,  utterly  unconscious  of  its 
fate.' 

Ho  had  been  escorted  for  some  distance  by  forty 
Frenchmen,  but  a  few  days  after  the  departure  of  ihn 
escort,  had  been  surprised  at  night  by  ten  Iroquois. 
Atironta,  a  famous  Huron  chief,  a  brave  man  and  a  good 
Christian,  was  killed  on  the  spot,  and  the  missionary 
received  three  arrow  wounds  while  ho  was  running  around 
to  rouse  his  party  ;  but  the  Iroquois  having  been  tardy  in 
effecting  their  retreat,  were  at  once  surrounded,  six  of 
thorn  killed,  two  taken,  and  two  escaped.  The  Hurons, 
who  lost  seven  of  their  party,  continued  their  march, 
mortified  to  have  been  thus  surprised  by  a  handful  of  ad- 
venturers." 

They  were  still  more  alarmed  when  they  learned  the  How  they 
desolation  of  the  country.  They  saw  that  their  best  Ztl\aX 
course  was  to  retrace  their  steps  with  the  other  party, 
and  so  they  did.  They  all  arrived  together  at  Montreal, 
where  nothing  was  forgotten  to  retain  them  ;  but  they  did 
not  deem  themselves  secure  enough  there,  and,  after  two 
days'  rest,  re-embarked,  and  reached  Quebec  on  the  28th 
of  July,  1650.  Mr.  d'Aillebout  gave  them  a  cordial  wel- 
come ;  but  there  were  so  few  persons  of  means  in  the 
colony,  that  after  the  communities  and  some  of  the  chief 
men  of  the  town  had  undertaken  to  support  a  number  of 
families,  in  proportion  to  theu-  ability,  there  rcimained 
more  than  two  hundred  souls,  with  no  resource  but  Provi- 
dence. Nor  did  Providence  fail  them.  They  subsisted, 
for  a  long  time,  without  its  being  possible  to  conceive  what 
enabled  them  to  .subsist." 


'  Relation  do  la  NouvcUo  Prance,  20  ;   Cre'ixiijg,  Hist.  Caniul.,  p.  nS8  ; 

1050,  p.  27  ;  C'rouxiua,  Hist.  Cimad.,  liflmnnt,  Histoii-c  dii  Canada,  p.  T). 
p.  fiST;    Ragiiciicau,   Vie  do  In  M.         ■■  Heloiiou  di' la  Nouvcllc  France, 

Catherino  do  St  Aiigu.stin,  ]>  54.  ]()50,  p.  2S  :  Crcuxius,  llistoria  Car- 

^  Tlio  escort  did  net  leave  Brcs-  ni'.'lcnsi.s   p.   58!)  :   Juclu'roau,   His- 

sani :  Martin's  lircssani,  \>.  U  ;  l{cla-  t(/iro  de  lUotil  Diou,  p.  7i) ;  Los  Ur- 

tion  de  la  Nouvello  France,  1050,  p.  sulinos  de  Quebec,  i.,  p.  143. 


236 


HISTOUY  OP  NEW  FRANCE. 


i6;o. 


i 


The  fato  of  those  who  could  not  brhig  tliomsolvos  to 
abautlou  thek  uativo  hiiul  was  vory  sad.  Some  throw 
Tiio  fato  of  themsolvos  iuto  tlio  hauda  of  uoif,'hbonng  natious,  on 
whom  they  aoou  drew  the  arms  of  the  Iroquois.'  Others 
wout  towards  the  Eughsh,  and  settled  iu  what  is  now 
called  Po'msylvani  '  A  large  party,  drawu  by  the  Iro- 
quois iu;  .1  '  .dead'),  under  pretext  of  treating  with 
them,  de.  •  i...  tiO  perfidy  of  those  savages,  met  strata- 
gem by  a  *!!'!:■;;  which  succeeded.  They  surprised 
those  who  ex^j  jted  tc  V  -'o  them  by  surprise,  killed  mauy, 
then  went  and  encamped  v.  n  Mauitoualin  Island,  whence, 
soon  after,  they  descended  to  Quebec,  to  join  their  coun- 
trymen.' 
1650-1.  Almost  all  the  inhabitants  of  the  two  towns  of  St. 
Michael  and  St.  John  the  Baptist  took  a  very  perilous 
course,  which  was,  nevertheless,  attended  with  success. 
They  voluntarily  i)resentcd  themselves  to  the  Iroquois, 
offered  to  live  with  them,  and  were  well  received.*  At  last 
the  enemy,  kno\\ing  that  many  were  wandering  up  and 
down,  unable  to  settle  anywhere,  set  the  young  men  after 
them.  Almost  all  were  taken.  No  quarter  was  given. 
And  to  show  how  far  the  terror  of  the  Iroquois  name 
had  seized  all  the  nation,  not  only  the  Huron  country, 
but  also  the  whole  course  of  the  Ottawa  Eiver,  which 
had  been  so  thickly  peopled  a  few  years  before,  ^vero 
almost  entirely  deserted,  without  its  being  possible  to 
say  what  had  become  of  most  of  the  people.' 

At  least  the  Hurons  who  had  taken  refuge  at  Quebec 
would,  it  was  hoped,  be  beyond  the  reach  of  the  miseries 


1   r, 
1.  t- 


^ ',  ' 


'  These  were  the  Attiwandaronk 
or  Neuters  :  Creuxius,  p.  58C  ;  de- 
lation (It?  la  Nouv.  France,  lOol,  p.  4. 

''  Anionic  till-  SuKiiucliaiinaa  or  An- 
dastcH,  later  known  ua  Conestogas  : 
Creuxiu!*,  p.  .j'.JO  ;  IJeliitiou  do  la 
Nouvelle  France,  1051,  j).  4.  ^ 

■'  'I'liiti  imrty  was  led  by  Stephen 
ABnaotaLa  :  Kelatiim  de  la  Nouvellu 


France,  1051,  p.  5  ;  Creuxius,  Histo- 
ria  Canatlonsiw,  p.  590. 

■*  Kphiiion,  1051,  p.  4  ;  Creuxius, 
HiHt.  Cnna<l.,  p.  5iJ0.  Those  formed 
the  nation.  Their  town,  in  the  Sen- 
eca Cduntiy,  WHS  (iandouuanie. 

'  Relation,  1051,  p.  5.  The  Ni|)is- 
sings  were  nearly  destroyed ;  Rela- 
tion, 1050,  p.  !iO. 


(,■■;■ 


niSTORY  OF  NEW   PIIANCE. 


237 


Tho  Hu- 
roiiH. 


T'     rwnr 

■■■Ig. 

Uu  ... 


wliich  overwholmed  tho  otbors.  Nothing  was  apparently  1650-1 
easier  tlian  to  put  tlioin  in  a  condition  to  have  tho  noccs-  ^^^ — 
Bitioa  of  life  witliout  becoming  a  bunhni  to  tho  colony, 
which  might  in  time  have  drawn  some  udvajitiige  frt)m 
them  ;  and  Father  Jerome  Lallcmant,  tho  superior-general 
of  tho  missionH,  went  to  Franco'  exju'esHly  to  consult  tho 
directors  of  tho  Cauadn  Company  in  regard  to  their  case. 
Ho  warmly  represented  tho  importance  of  not  allowing  so 
many  Christiana  to  perish,  after  they  had  thr(;wu  them- 
selves into  our  bosom  ;  tho  facility  of  providing  for  their 
support ;  and  the  advantage  to  bo  derived,  both  for  the 
increase  of  trade  and  the  defence  of  tho  colony. 

He  spoko  in  vain.  None  listened.  The  consequence 
■was  that,  as  we  shall  soon  see,  tho  French  colony  fell  into 
such  contempt,  that  for  several  years  tho  Irorpiois  acquirou 
tho  same  ascendency  over  them  that  we  had  allowed  them 
to  assume  over  our  allies.  The  latter,  en  their  side,  actfi  » 
badly.  A  vertigo  seemed  to  seize  these  Indians.  Nc 
sooner  were  they  beneath  tho  guns  of  Quebec  than  thoy 
passed  at  a  bound  from  tho  depths  of  discouragement  to 
the  height  of  presumption.  They  thought  themselves 
now  invincible  ;  and  although  thoy  had  very  few  warriors 
among  them,  they  proposed  nothing  less  than  retaliating 
on  tho  Iroquois  all  tho  injury  they  had  received. 

They  induced  the  inhabitants  of  Sylleri  to  join  them, 
and  formed  a  war-party,  before  which  they  imagined  tho 
Five  Cantons  would  never  stand.'  The  Algonquius  of 
Three  Rivers,  and  some  Hurons  who  happened  to  be  at 
the  same  place,  also  swelled  the  force.  This  army 
marched  against  the  Mohawks;  and  as  they  were  all 
Christians,  they  gave  their  expedition  the  air  of  a  crusade 
by  announcing  that  they  took  up  arms  only  to  force  the 
implacable  enemy  of  Christianity  to  retire  from  the  lands 


'  Lalemant  sailed,  Nov.  2, 1650,  on 
tho  Chasseur,  with  Brossaniand  s<iiik) 
brothers  :  Hngucncau,  Journal,  Nov. 
2,  1C50 ;  Kolution,  1050,  p.  48. 


°  Exaggerated.  See  IJelntinn  de 
la  N.  P.,  10,50,  p.  30.  It  Viis  an  Al- 
gonquin  war-party,  under  John  Ou- 
tagouainou. 


• 


238 


HISTORY  OP  NKW  FRANCE. 


;  I 


I  1, 


1650-1.  of  tho  faithful,  and  tlius  onivblo  the  missionurios  to  luiiko 
■~"~~*'"~^  trno  Tiiligion  flourish. 

iiiHnstroim      As  thoy  aiipi'oiichcd  tho  villaj^o  where  they  resolved  to 
ill  wiiiih '  make  thciir  first  attack,  a  Huron  and  an  Algoiiquin  wore 
Cliri"t'iiu'«  detached  an  Hcouts.     Thoy  separated,  and  the  Huron  fall- 
'"""'  '■     iuf^  into  the  hands  of  an  Iroquois  party,  without  hesita- 
tion betrayed  his  faith,  his  nation,  and  his  allies,  to  save 
his  life.     "  Ilretiir.m,"  said  he,  on  approaching  tho  enemy, 
"  I  have  long  sought  some  of  you.     I  set  out  for  my 
country,  where  I  know  tho  Iroquois  and  Hurons  are  now 
only  one  people,  and  have  only  one  land.     To  travel  moro 
securely  I  joined  an  Algonquin  party,  which  I  mot  on  tho 
war-path  against  you.     I  loft  it,  two  days  ago,  to  warn 
you  to  bo  on  your  guard." 

The  traitor  did  moro.  Ho  acted  as  guide  to  the  Mo- 
hawks, who,  advancing  on  tho  Christians,  found  them  all 
asleep.  They  woke,  indeed,  onlj'  at  a  volley  of  musketry  ; 
and  as  tho  enemy  had  time  and  opportunity  to  choose 
where  to  strike,  the  bravest  of  the  allies  lay  dead  on  tho 
spot,  before  any  of  the  jiarty  had  time  to  fly  to  arms.  Yet 
many  fought  bravely,  and  under  cover  of  their  resistance 
a  considerable  number  escaped  in  the  woods.  All  the 
rest  were  killed  or  taken  and  burnt  at  the  stake,  except 
two,  who  escaped,  and  brought  in  all  the  details  of  this 
sad  adventure.' 
Aeeoiiiit  of  All  the  other  captives  honored  their  religion,  in  defence 
ouin,  imnit  of  which  they  had  taken  up  arms ;  but  tho  most  dis- 
^quoia."^"  tingnisliod  among  them  was  a  young  Algonquin,  Joseph 
Onohare.'  He  had  been  brought  up  almost  from  child- 
hood at  Sylleri,  and  although  naturally  of  a  hard  and 
haughty  disposition,  grace  and  education  had  entirely 
corrected  the  defect,  and  ho  attained  a  degree  of  perfec- 
tion uncommon  in  the  very  heart  of  Christendom.  A  year 
before  his  death  an  event  befell  him  which  deeply  im- 

'  Relation  de  la  Nouvelle  France,    apiiarently    Louis    Skandnrliictso  : 
1050,  p.  I'O  ;  Crouxius,  Ilistoria  Ca-     Lalcmant,  Jo\inial,  Juno  15, 1650. 
nadensis,  p.  503.    The  traitor  was        ''  Onabare. 


niSTOIlY  OP  NEW  FRANCE. 


239 


prcased  thoso  wIkj  witno.sHud  it.  Ho  liiul  joined  a  war- 
l)aity,  iindor  a  icnowiu'd  chiof— an  idolater,  however,  i  nd 
very  aiii)t'rHtitious— who  would  not  take  the  field  without 
couHultiug  hJH  nianitou.  Oiioliare  in  vain  employed  every 
effort  to  divert  him.  The  chief  called  a  inedicine-niau, 
who  put  up  his  sweating-cabin,  and  had  no  sooner  entered 
it  than  it  began  to  shako  in  the  most  surprising  manner. 

The  man — to  whom,  even,  the  thing  appeared  most 
extraordinary—  proceeded,  notwithstanding,  to  utter  his 
usual  cries  and  howls  ;  but  some  time  after  ho  suddenly 
changed  his  tone,  and  calling  to  Ouohare,  who  was  not 
far  olf,  assailed  him  with  furious  threats.  The  noble 
Christian  at  once  a])proachcd,  and,  convinced  that  it  was 
the  de\d  who  spoke  by  the  mouth  of  his  minister,  ox- 
claimed  :  "  I  adore  Him  who,  out  of  nothing,  created 
heaven  and  earth.  He  is  my  SovereigN  Lord  and  yours  ; 
and  in  spite  of  yourself  you  are  com])elled  to  acknowledge 
Hiui  as  such,  even  as  I  do."  While  still  speaking,  al- 
though thf!ro  was  no  one  near  him,  he  felt  himself  struck 
so  violently  on  the  side  that  ho  almost  lost  breath  and 
movement.  Three  days  after,  still  feeling  great  pain,  he 
fervently  implored  God  to  restore  him.  His  prayer  was 
heard,  and  ho  set  out  on  tho  war-path  with  the  rest.' 

Durhig  the  march  another  Lulian,  who  had  ai)])arently 
had  a  bad  dream,  came  to  him  one  morning  in  great 
excitement,  and  told  him  that  ho  wus  very  soiry  ho  had 
started  on  that  expedition  with  him — that  his  obstinate 
refusal  to  consult  the  sjjirits  would  inevitably  draw  down 
some  reverse  on  the  party,  Tho  fervent  Christian  took 
pity  on  tho  blindness  of  this  man,  and  endeavored  to  dis- 
abuse him  of  his  errors.  While  they  were  speaking,  they 
perceived  two  Iroquois,  and  rushed  upon  them.  Onohare 
overtook  one  and  killed  him  at  a  single  blow.  Tho  other 
escaped.  The  young  Christian  then  returned  to  his  com- 
rade, who  had  not  made  any  very  earnest  endeavor  to 


1650-1. 


Jojioph 
tiiiulmrd. 


>  Relation  de  la  N.  F.,  1050,  pp.  31,  32 ;  Creuxiue,  IIiHt.  Canad.,  p.  590. 


240 


IIISTOHY  OF  Ni;\V  FRANCE. 


1650-1. 


Jimciili 
Oiioliuru, 


Fervor  ol" 

tlio  Clins- 

tians. 


roftoh  tlio  euoiuy,  iind  told  him  tlitit  liirt  nmiiitoii  luul 
(luulitlcNK  wiu'iu'd  liitii  u^'iviiiHt  any  uuduu  cxpoHiuv  of  IiIh 
poiHDii.  "  Know,  then,  oner  for  all,"  In  lullod,  "  tlmt  a 
CIiriHtiiiii  who  Ih  fiiithfiil  to  hm  (iod  fi'iirw  nothiiif^,  uud 
tlmt  your  ilLUioiiH  cuu  rouder  110  uasLstuuco  to  thoao  who 
iuvoko  thorn." 

It  wiiH  in  till)  closiuf,'  net  of  this  iieoph}  Ic'h  lifo  that  ho 
ivpiiDari'd  tlio  gri'ati'st.  llv  had  prciJUicd  for  it  hy  11  gou- 
eral  coufoHHion  and  fri'tjuont  c  iiinninions.  From  tho  out- 
set of  tho  expedition  in  which  ho  wiih  taken,  he  had  a 
presentiment  that  ho  would  never  return ;  and  aH  it  was 
to  battle  a^^'ainat  the  enemi(!H  of  Clod,  he  eonwoled  himwelf 
with  tho  hojje  of  martyrdom.  Filled  with  this  idea,  his 
joy  increased  at  the  thought  of  the  suH'erings  he  might 
have  to  undergo  ;  nor  was  ho  wanting  to  himself  in  the 
midst  of  his  tortures.  He  constantly  exhorted  his  com- 
panion to  patience  ;  and  his  executioners  wishing  to  silenco 
him,  he  boldly  told  them  that  it  was  not  in  their  power 
to  jiroveut  his  jjublishing  tho  praises  of  his  God  and 
laboring  for  His  glory.  This  reply  roused  them  to  fury  ; 
but  in  vain  did  they  devise  the  most  unheard-of  tortures 
to  force  him  to  silence.  Thoy  eoidd  not  shako  his  courage 
or  extort  a  sigh.  Ho  ceased  to  bless  tho  Almighty  only 
when  ho  ceased  to  live.' 

This  groat  defeat,  and  many  other  less  important 
checks  which  followed  in  quick  succession,  caused  inex- 
pressible grief  to  the  missiouuritiS  and  those  who  took  an 
interest  in  tho  progress  of  tho  gospel  and  the  advance- 
ment of  tho  colony ;  but  what  somewhat  consoled  the 
former  was,  that  the  relatives  and  friends  of  those  who 
fell  in  that  engagement  were  moved  by  no  mere  affections 
of  flesh  and  blood  in  tho  regret  which  they  showed  for 
their  loss,  but  displayed  only  sentiments  worthy  of  their 
religion.  No  murmur  was  hoard  among  them  against  the 
Providence  of  a  God  who  indeed  put  their  faith  and  virtue 


•  Relation  do  la  N.  P.,  1050,  p.  33 ;  CreuxiuB,  Hist.  Canad.,  p.  598. 


\>     „.      1 


IIISTOIIY   f>F  NKW   FHANCB. 


241 


to  a  scvoro  tcHt,  but  who  hUowccI  HiiiiHilf  no  loss  power-    1650-1, 
ful,  or  loss  11  Futhor,  by  iiiHpiiing  thorn  with  a  huruio 
roHif^uiitiuii.' 

Tliosi)  rotlcctioiiH,  mado  by  tlio  iufulols  thouiHclvos,  con- 
vcrtocl  nmny.  Tho  most  HtilF-uockcd,  in  tho  very  midst  of 
their  iuvo(!tivc'!t,  felt  Muddtiily  chaiigcHl  in  a  manner  which 
aHtoiiished  them  ;  and  the  rrnquois  Imd,  (hiring'  a  wliolo 
year,  an  exanii)lo  of  that  great  i>(»\vt!r  of  graeo  wliieh 
Bevel ;tl  of  them  couhl  not  bnt  reeognize.  They  had 
among  their  j)riHonerH  a  l)lind  young  Algonquin  Hqnaw ; 
and  although  she  was  utterly  ii,,apal)le  of  rendering  them  - 
any  service,  they  let  .her  live,  without  well  knowing  why. 

A  Christian,  well  inntrueted  in  her  leligiim,  she  li.id  tho 
courage  to  aH8umo  among  her  cou(|ucror8  tho  ollieo  of 
catechist ;  and  Clod  wrought  many  conversions  by  her 
miuiHtry.  Some  of  these  excited  great  attention,  and 
exasperated  the  sachems  of  tho  vilhigo  against  her.  Sho 
was  not  insensible  to  tho  danger  to  which  hor  zeal 
exposed  hor,  but  nothing  could  diminish  its  fervor.  She 
was  seriously  warned  to  be  cautious  in  her  ])roceedings  ; 
threats  were  made  against  lier,  and  she  had  every  reason 
to  fear  their  being  carried  into  effect.  Nothing,  however, 
deterred  her ;  and  God,  whom  she  served  with  so  much 
courage,  continued  to  protect  her  in  a  manner  incompre- 
hensible to  those  who,  able  to  crush  her  by  a  word, 
never  dared  to  attempt  her  hfo  or  cause  her  the  least 
uneasiness." 

This  was  attested  then  by  all  who  hved  in  New  Franco 
or  made  any  stay  there,  and  wo  have  even  soon  witnesses 
of  it  who  could  not  bo  suspected  of  exaggeration.  I  have, 
perhaps,  dwelt  a  littlo  more  on  these  details  than  will 
please  some  who  will  read  this  history  ;  but  I  have  deemed 
it  neces8)i>y,  in  order  to  give  a  just  idea  of  this  ludiau 


'  Relation  Ae  lo  NouvoUo  France,        «  Ri'lntidn  do  la  Nouvollo  Franco, 

1(550,  i>.  ;!)! ;  Crtni  <  ius,  IDstoria  Ca-  KJoO,  p.  M  ;  Cruuxius,  IliBtoriu  Ca- 

niidcnsis.  p  rm).  nadonais,  p.  509. 

Vol.  I1,-1U 


'212 


IIISTOUY   OF   NEW   FllANCR 


coino  11118- 
sioiiH. 


1650-1.   clmrcb,  some  wrilors,  who  siuv  it  only  in  its  dcclino,  liaving 
^"■"^'""^  cnuiJtivorod  to  iliiu  its  lustre'     Wiiatovor  may  liiivo  boiui 
Uu;ir  motives— ami  I  lotive  tho  juilgmont   to   Him  wlio 
iilouo  has  tho  powov  ami  ri}j;ht  to  sound  tho  heart — what 
creilit  can  bo  given  to  tho  authority  of  mon  who  have  had 
no  other  proofs  for  treating  as  false  Avhat  occurred  far 
from   them,  or  before  their  day,  than  the  fact  that  they 
Aveve  not  witnesses  ? 
T)io  v.raiidy     At  tlio  timo  of  Avliich  I  spoak,  fervor  was  still  evcry- 
ni'iiH  to     where  very  great,  and  told  of  tho  per.secxitiou  and  adver- 
'"""fers  iii""^'  sity  wliich  are  almost  always  its  attendants.     Yet  there 
began  to  be  some  disorders  among  the  Christians  who  fre- 
quented Tadoussac  ;  and,  to  the  shame  of  tho  Europeans, 
it  was  they  who  gave  occasion  to  tho  disgrace,  while  sav- 
ages, scarcely  baptized,  used  every  exertion  to  arrest  it. 
This  was  especiall}'  intoxication,  for  which  the  Indiana 
have  a  tendency,  which  they  did  not  know  before  they  had 
means  to  gratify  it,  and  of  which  they  can  scarcely  bo 
said  to  bo  masters  when  they  have  begim  fo  form    tho 
habit. 

The  heads  of  tho  colony  hud  too  much  religion  and  zeal 
not  to  oppose  a  trade  which  served  as  a  bait  to  vice  and 
fomented  it ;  nor  were  they  suspected,  as  some  of  their 
successors  have  been,  of  desiring  to  swell  their  incomes  ;'t 
the  expeuje  of  religion  and  order.  But  at  Tadoussac 
there  were  only  missionaries  without  commandants,  bo- 
cause  we  had  never  luui  a  permanent  settlement  there ; 
and  whatever  inllnence  these  religious  derived  from  their 
character,  their  virtue,  and  the  orders  of  tho  governor- 
gmieral,  they  felt  daily  how  feeble  a  rein  an  unarmed 
authority  is  against  certain  passions,  and  that  tho  interest 
of  reUgion  is  a  motive  almost  incapable  of  touching  hearts 
ruled  by  cupidity." 


'  ('httrli'Vi)ix  nlludt's,  proliably,  to  toiro  dii  rAiiu'riquo  SopU-ntrionalo, 

Le  Cli'irii,  KliililiHsi'inciit  dc  la  Koi,  i.,  \).  ;!0M. 

i.,  p.  ri;i:l  ;   1,11  lloiiliiii,  veil,  i,  p.  ^l         '  Ucliitiiin  di' la  Ndiivrlli'  I-'iuikm^, 

mill   pii'laic  ;    l>i'  la   I'dtlurii",  lli»-  llioO,  p.  10.    The  iiiisHinimiii ;.  strug- 


llISTOltY    OF   NFAV    FHANC'K 


213 


Tlio  ovil,  ill  a  sliort  liiiic,  iiiiKio  siicli  |>rofj;ross  Hint  tlio  1650- 
IiuliiUi  chiefs  eaiiicslly  lu'S()iiL;lit  Mr.  ilWillcboi'il  to  build 
a  jirisoii,  to  coiitiiu'  lIios<'  wlio,  by  tlicir  sc;iii(l,ils,  would 
tr(mbl(>  tlio  ))ii'ty  of  tlit'ir  bri'tlircu.'  licsidcs  liic  INIoii- 
ta{j[iu>/,  who  wi'i't^  the  iiiitiv(>  iiihiibitaiits  of  the  iici^^hbor- 
liood  of  Tfidoussiic,  lh(  ri"  wi'io  also  ofti'u  si-cu,  at  this 
s.'iinc  post,  Borsianiili'S,  Papiniu-hois,  and  OuiuainioucUs.'^ 
Among  all  theso  wov  Christians  who  \vi'i(>  iiidi'btt'd  for 
lh(^  tirst  knowledge)  of  the  tni(>  (iod  to  I  luliaii  converts, 
and  whose  instruction  had  been  conipleteil  at  Tadoussac, 
where  the  niissiouaries  never  failed  io  hv  at  the  trading; 
season. 

Tilings  were,  in  every  resp(>ct,  on  .v  lietler  footing  at 
Three  Hivers,  where  tliere  was  a  vigilant  and  zealous  gov- 
ernor, jMr.  J^ui)Iessis  r)Ocl.,,ii;  where  tli(>  desiiits  had  a 
house;  and  where  severad  iiortheni  nations  canu!  (U)wii 
for  tlio  fur-trade.  They  wero  es[)iHMally  attracted  liy  tlio 
Attikaniegues,  and  tli(>  great  exaniiiles  of  virliie  of  tliia 
good  people  ]>i{>pared  their  hearts  for  tlie  impressions  of 
griico.  A  certain  number  wen-  bajitizinl  every  year,  anil 
these  neopliytes  did  not  d(>em  themselves  fiuly  Christians 
till  tliev  had  nnuh'  con(|U(-sts  for  Christ.  i\l(H'eover,  the}' 
saw  uotliiiig  in  the  comluct  of  the  l''ieiicli  that  did  not 
timd  to  edify.  Tlie  prec(>ding  winter  Father  Dreuilletti'S 
liad  visited  idl  the  districts  lying  north  of  Tlir.'e  liivers. 
Jle  met  Christians,  and  Christians  jierfectly  instructed, 
where  li(>  did  not  expect  to  tind  even  men.  lie  increased 
the   number,  adniinistered    the   sacraiiients,   i>roiiust'd    to 


{fled  long  biit  iiiisiiiri'SHt'iiUy  iiirninat  Id,")!),  p.  -lO  ;  Crouxiiis,  UisNu'ia  (V 

tlic  Hrlliiij;  of  siiiriluoiiN  li(|ii()i;)  t^)  iiailciiHiH,  p.  (iO.5. 

till'  iTidiiiiis.     'I'lii'v  siicc(';i|i-(l,  how-  •  Till'    ItiTNiiutiUi'S   n\v  not    iiu-ii- 

oviM-,    only    ill    (IniwiiijT   o,|iniii    on  lidiicd   in   tin'    U'l'liilion,  Ki'id,  p.  .11. 

tlu'luwlviK.       Si'i'    Sluii,    DiM'ovciy  'I'lii'V  were  next    Io  'liKloiissiic.  iiiul 

1111(1    Kxi)lorulinii  of  111!'  Missiw-ippi  tlic  I'lipiiiiu'lmis  liilow  ilinii,  on  llio 

Viilloy,  ]).    7'1  ;      llisloiic   dc  llviii  St.  Linviviin' :    Urlatioii.  liiil'.',  p    IS. 

tlo-VIo    en    ('uiiiula,    Qm  hci',    ISIO,  Tin' Oiiiiimiiioiiik  liiy  udiiiid,  iiortli- 

l>.'i'.l  I'lisldf 'rudoussiic  :   lifliilion  dc  IftN. 

'  Ui'liitioii  dc  l.i  N'ouvillc   l'"riili(i\  I'".,  Kl")'.',  p.  20. 


244 


IIISTOUY   OF  NEW   FRANCE. 


1650-1.  visit  them  as  soon  as  possible,  and  loft  tliom'  in  a  dispo- 
^-^-y^-^  sition  from  -wbich  he  could,  he  believed,   derive   every 

hope. 
Mr.  do  ]-ftn-  At  last,  the  year  1C50' — so  fatal  to  New  Franco  by  the 
eriior^Joii-  aliHost  Complete  dcstraction  of  the  Huron  nation,  and  by 
"i'ranoe?™^  all  the  misfortunes  that  resulted  from  it — closed  -with  a 
change  of  governor-general.  Mr.  do  Lauson,  one  of  the 
leading  members  of  the  Canada  Company,  was  .apjjoiuted 
to  succeed  Mr.  d'Aillebout,  whose  three  years  had  expired ; 
but  ho  did  not  reach  Quebec  till  the  next  year.'  Mr. 
d'Aillebout  left  without  regret  a  position  in  which  ho 
could  only  be  a  witness  of  the  desolation  of  the  colony, 
and  to  whom  they  afforded  no  means  of  maintaining  his 
dignity.  The  new  governor  had  always  been  more  inter- 
ested than  any  other  in  the  affairs  of  the  company.  It 
was  he  chiefly  who  had  effected  in  England  the  restoration 
of  Quebec.  Hif.  piety,  his  uprightness,  his  good  inten- 
tions were  known,  and  he  had  always  seemed  to  take  a 
deep  interest  in  every  thing  that  concerned  Canada. 


'  Relation  de  la  Nouvello  Franco, 
1650,  iip.  33,  49  ;  ib.,  1048,  pp.  27, 
82  ;  (."reuxius,  Ilistoria  C'nnaduusis, 
p.  522. 

'  'Hiis  should  bo  1051.  See  Pro- 
vision de  Gouverneur  de  la  Nou- 
vello Franco  iinur  lo  Piour  do  Lau- 
zon,  .Ian.  17,  lO.")!  ;  Can.  Doc,  II.,  i., 
p.  172  ;  Commission,  March  20, 1051 ; 
ib  ,  ]i.  202.  Coniiilcni.  dcsOnl.,  ]>.  10. 

'  Holiuont,  Histoiro  du  Canada, 
Quebec,  1010,  p.  0.  John  de  Launon 
■was  one  of  tlio  leading  men  in  the 
Company  of  New  France,  and,  as 
member  of  the  Coimcil  of  State,  had 
Ions  taken  a  deep  interest  in  the 
colony.  In  1(127  he  was  made  in- 
teiulant  of  New  France.  Ho  was 
Bubwquently  sent  by  King  Louis 
Xlll.  to  Ktifiliind,  to  obtain  the  res- 
titution of  ljuel)ec,  alter  its  capture 
by  Kirk:  CnuixiuH,  Ilistoria  Cana- 
densis,  p.   02i>.     Ho  was  president 


and  superintendent  of  the  new  com- 
pany (Ij(;  Clercq,  Etablissenient  do 
la  Foi,  vol.  i.,  p.  4;);i),  and  as  such 
opixised  the  return  of  the  RecoHects : 
lb.,  pp.  453-7.  Ho  was  appointed 
governor,  on  the  nomination  of  tlio 
company,  January  17,  1051,  and  ar- 
rived at  (Quebec  October  13,  1051  : 
Ragueneau,  Journal  ;  Relation  dc  la 
Nouvello  France,  l(i51,  p.  1  ;  Creux- 
ius,  Ilistoria  CainuU'nsis,  ])  020.  lie 
was  governor  till  1050,  wl  en  he  re- 
turned to  France  and  became  sub- 
dean  of  the  King's  Council  and  re- 
sided in  the  cloister  of  Notre  Damn 
with  one  of  his  sons,  a  canon  tliere  : 
Ferland,  Ilistoire  du  Canada,  p.  431  ; 
Memoir's  et  Documents  jmlilirs  ])ar 
la  Soc.  Hist,  de  Montreal,  p.  S3.  Ho 
died  at  Paris,  Fob,  10,  KiOO,  aged 
eighty-two :  Ragueneau,  Vio  do  la 
Mire  Catherine,  p.  320.  His  cancr 
in  Canada  was  not  happy. 


ITISTORT  OF  NEW  FRANrE. 


245 


I 


But  ho  foniul  it  in  a  state  oven  far  more  deplorable 
than  Father  Lallemant  had  represented,  and  the  colony 
■was  daily  wasting  away.  The  Iroquois,  emboldened  by 
their  recent  victories,  began  to  regard  our  forts  and 
intrenchments  as  barriers  no  longer  capable  of  stopping 
them.  They  spread  in  great  bauds  through  all  the 
French  sctthnuents,  and  men  were  nowhere  safe  from 
their  insults.  A  sad  event  had  also  just  increased  their 
insolence.  One  of  their  parties  having  approached  Three 
Rivers,  Duplcssis  Bochart,  the  governor,  marched  out 
against  them  in  person.  In  vain  representations  were 
nuide  against  his  useless  expostire  of  his  life,  when  all 
his  valor  was  unavailing  against  an  enemy  whose  chief 
strength  is  in  surprise,  and  whom  their  natural  agility  and 
the  neighborhood  of  the  forests  always  atford  a  sure 
retreat ;  and  that,  in  fine,  there  was  nothing  to  be  gained 
in  lighting  men  who  had  nothing  to  lose.  He  turned  a 
deaf  ear  to  all ;  but  he  paid  the  penalty  of  his  obstinacy. 
He  was  killed  ;  and  his  death  not  only  deprived  the  colony 
of  a  good  olHc(U'  and  a  Morthy  man,  but  it  gave  new  lustre 
to  the  arms  of  the  Irocpiois.' 

The  war  which  they  unrelentingly  continued  against  the 
feeble  remnant  of  the  Huron  nation,  and  against  every 
tribe  that  oft'ercd  thetn  shelter,  daily  increased  the  terror 
of  their  name,  and  their  forces  increased  l^y  the  number 
of  captives  whom  they  brought  in  from  all  jiarts  and  used 
to  replace  those  of  their  braves  who  fell.  At  last,  Sylleri, 
become  no  longer  safe  with  palisades,  had  to  be  sur- 
rounded with  walls,  and  cannon  mounted  there.  The 
most  fearful  deserts  and  most  impenetrable  cantons  of  the 
North  no  longer  afforded  secure  retreats  against  the  rage 


1650-1. 


Iroquois 
riivHt't's  ill 
tlio  North. 


'  Du   Plessia    IJocliart    Qu(u"bodo  p.   400 ;    Memoires   et   Documents 

Imd  tilled  important  olHces  for  ovit  ])u1plii'f,  etc.,  p.  87  ;    BiliiKint,  Ilis- 

twcnly  yi  iirB.     His  wife  wus  ICtien-  toire  du  (\niida,  p.  7;  Relatinu  do 

n.tie  des  Pres.     As  id  him,  S('(!  Ka-  la  N.  F.,  KiV,',  p.  :!.").     The  iiarty  at- 

gueiieau,  Vie  de  la  Mere  CatlKM-ine,  tacking  was  Oneidas,    with  a  few 

p.  54  :  Ferland,  tVure  d'Histoiro,  i.,  Mohawks.     Besides  du  Plessis,  ono 


ai6 


HISTORY   OF  NKW   FIIANCE. 


t     ' 


J 


16^2.     of  those  s.av.'igcs  and  tlio  clrojysicil  thirst  for  liuman  blood 
^^""^       '  which  iinpcUod  thoni.' 

Fatiior  r.ii-  Faili'.'r  Jjinics  Ihitciix  luid  spont  sill  the  sprhijj;  of  1051' 
tiio  Atiiiiii- in  visitiiiff  (hc^so  vast  distriots.  H(\  found  all  tli(>  Attika- 
niogucs  CJinstians  or  catocliunicns,  althor.gh  no  ])rH>st  had 
ever  rosidi'd  among  them.  Their  innocence  charmed  him. 
They  had  erected  a  chapel,  where  thoy  assembled  rogn- 
larly  to  oft'(>r  up  their  ])rayers  in  coiinnon  ;"  and  after  tho 
missionary  had  gratified  tiieir  eagerness  to  hear  tho  Word 
of  Ciod  and  ])artake  of  the  sacraments  of  tho  Church,  thoy 
conducted  him  t(5  a  nation  still  nioro  remote,*  where  this 
religious  had  the  hai)]iiiiess  of  making  our  holy  Law 
appreciat(>d  by  a  small  nundjer  of  tho  elect. 

He  confidently  expected  to  complete  next  year  what  ho 
had  as  yet  oidy  been  al>lo  to  sketch  ;  but  ho  had  scarcely 
returned  to  tho  colony  when  tlu>  Iroijuois"  made  an  irrup- 
tion into  tliose  remote  parts,  filled  tluMP  with  blood  and 
carnage,  and  did  not  leave  a  singli;  village  whoso  inhab- 
itants wer(>  not  butcliei'cd  or  dispersed.     Tho  tidings  hav- 
ing reached  jNlr.  do  Lauson,  convinced  him  of  the  neces- 
sity of  presenting  a  barrier  to  tliis  torrent ;  but  ho  had 
brought  no  re-entorcement  from  France,  and  he  was  ;"  r 
from  linding   in   tho   colony  forces   sullicit'iit   to   rest.  ..0 
l'n.i;i,..^  „f  security  and  tranquillity.     The  only  vart  of  New  Franco 
aiming: "t I i'(i  M'liere  the  Iroquois  had  not  dar  (l  and  never  dared,  to 
'^^'"'  '■"*'   carry  their  victorious  .■'.rms,  Avas    lie  c-n:   try  occupied  by 
the  Abenaqui  natii)ns.     Fatliiv   iyieiuliettes   had,  as  wo 
have  seen,  tluii'o  laid  the  foundations  of  a  church  which 


soldier  was  killcil  and  oiii'  iiKirtally 
wounded,  'rwolveweru  tali(!ii:  Ua- 
pucniKu,  .lounial,  Aug.,  10.')3. 

'  Butiiix  iiic'iitiiiiisdii'Iation,  1(^51, 
p.  2(1)  that  tlii'v  penetrated  to  Lalie 
Kisakunii,  wliiili,  hi-  would  havi^ 
8ii])|iosc'd,  they  could  ncitlier  dis- 
cover nor  reach. 

■•'  He  wt  out  March  1'7.  Ki.TI,  with 
Mi.de  N'orinanviile  :  Welntion,  ITtl, 
p.  Hi;  ('reuxiu.>;,  HiKt.daU.,  p.  H'iO. 


■'  Relation  do  la  Nouvello  France, 
]0."il,  p.  20;  Cnuixius,  llistoria  Ca- 
nadeiiHiH,  p.  02'J  :  Marie  do  I'liicar- 
nation,  Lettres  IliHtoricpies,  \).  1 11. 

'  Father  Ihileux  nieritionn  visits 
to  two  oilier  gat lieriiip<  of  Indians, 
(i|ipareiitly  .\llikuiiiegues  (lielation, 
l(i5!,  i>.  24),  although  he  sjiealiH  of 
belts  given  to  the  Krigoiiecliknk. 

'•  Relation  de  hi  Nouv(.llo  Franco, 
K;-,!,  p.  2'!:   I(;."i2,  p.  I 


HISTORY  OF  NEW  FILVNCE. 


247 


gavo  groat  Jioih's.     1  ]va\o  hmm  uual.lo  to  ascertain  tlio      1652. 

reasons  which   imluccd   liim   to    iiiterrni)t    his    apostolic ■ ' 

labors  among  tlicst!  trilics,'  in  order  to  go  and  exercise  his  i-n-frress  of 
zeal  in   tlie  furthest  extremes  of  the  North.     Bnt  it  is  ,!',',';, ''^'ulo 
certain  that  no  missionary  then  labored  with  greater  fruit  '\'utioilH.'' 
in  Canada,  because  Heaven  had  rendered  him  powerful  in 
woi'lvs  as  well  as  in  words. 

The  Indians  who  aecomi)anied  him  in  his  excursions 
spoke  of  nothing  l)ut  the  wonders  wrought  hy  his  means, 
which,  joined  to  the  eminent  virtues  which  they  saw  him 
practise,  facilitated  all  tnat  he  undertook  for  the  glory  of 
God.  The  Fnuich  liad  the  same  opijiion  of  his  sanctit; 
and  his  intluejice  with  the  Almighty.  I  knew  a  lady  a't 
Three  Kivcrs— Machamo  de  Cournoyer,  wife  of  a  captain 
in  liie  marine  forces— who,  having  during  her  infancy 
fallen  into  a  languor  deemed  by  tlu;  physicians  incurable, 
was  liealedUie  moment  the  servant  of  (Jod  made  tlie  sign 
of  the  cross  on  her  foreluiad.  Tlie  circumstances  of  the 
case  were  stated  to  me  by  the  inothep  of  the  lady  herself, 
who  held  her  in  her  arms  when  she  was  restored. 

It  s(>ems,  n-'verlheless,  iliat  Fath(>r  Dreuillettes  never 
entire.y  lost  sight  of  his  beloved  Ab/iuupiis,  among  wliom 
his  ciedit  became  so  great,  that  the  i'^nglish,  mIiosc  inter- 
est led  them  to  ju-opitiate  these  Indians,  then  neighbors, 
thought  it  their  duty  carefully  to  cultivate  his  friendship  ; 
and  they  always  showed  great  regard  for  him.  t)n  his 
side,  he  corresponded  in  a,  manner  that  satisfied  them 
fully  ;  and  ho  availed  himself  so  well  of  this  good  under- 


'  Sec  nntc,  p.  20;!.  FiUlicr  Dniil- 
li'ltcH  wvnt  to  thr  Abmikis  in  11150, 
Sept.  1  :  J{cl:iti(m  do  In  Nouvi'llo 
Frall^l^  Kl.")!,  p.  |5  (Uafruiiu'iui, 
Joiininl,  Sept.  1,  Ui'iU).  and  aj,'«in  in 
Jiuii',  l(i.-)l,  iiftor  ii  two  week"'  stay 
in  tho  colony:  Hclation  dc  la  Nou- 
vcllo  France,  Kio;.',  p.  L'3. 

'  Mndanie  d(!  Mnctot,  wife  of  a 
n\ajor  of  'i'lirei'   HiverN,  who  was  u 


son  of  Mr.  Uodefroy,  wlio  Iind  lieen 
anilias.sador  to  Boston  with  Fatliur 
l>reuill(  tli's.— 6'/(»/-/(  i-'iij;  lie  prob- 
ably confounds  John  I'aid  (iodi^froy 

of  (.^uclicc  with  .lolm  Uodefroy  fi i 

Linclot.  in  Ihe  ]iays  de  Canx,  \n 
resided  at  Three  Uivers,  and  was  tlie 
ancestor  of  tiie  (iodcfroys   <le  J,in- 
tot  :  I'V-land,  Notes  sur  le  Kegistro 

lie  tiurliec,  p.  Ob. 


-  i 


248 


IIISTOlty  UF  NEW  FHANCE. 


i6i;2.    standing  to  ftdvancc  tlio  work  of  God,  that  in  a  short  tiiuo 
^""Y-—^  lie  bchfkl  himself  at  the  head  of  a  minierous  and  flourish- 
ing church.     lu  tho   sc(iucl,  when   the  Abinaquia  Avero 
attached  to  the  French  by  the  bond  of  religion,  New  Eng- 
land  had   every  reason  to  repent   her  having   unwisely 
made  them  irreconcilable  enemies.' 
Father  liii-     About  tlio  samo  timo  some  families  of  Attikamegues 
nonhttiiril  invited  Father  Buteux  to  accompany  them  to  their  eoun- 
j)ro's"ii"i-    try,  in  order  to  assemble  the  sad  remnants  of  the  nation. 
iiu'wm'  Mot  He  consented  the  more  willingly,  as  several  other  tribes, 
return,     ^^.j^^^  jjj  ^,,j.  j.^j_  know  Christ,  were  to  be  at  the  rendezvous 
api)oiuted  by  the  Attikamegues.     The  day  of  departure 
was  fixed  for  the  4th  of  April,  1652,   and   the   evening 
previous   the   missionary  wrote   to   his   superior   a  note 
couched   in  these  terms :'   "  They  at  last  give  me  hope, 
Eeverend  lather,  that  av-  are  about  to  start.     God  grant 
that  the}'  do  not  change  their  purpose,  and  that  Heaven 
miiy  be  tlie  bourn  of  our  journey.     Our  convoy  is  coni- 
posetl  of  sixty  persons,  men,  women,  and  children.     All 
aJG  iu  extreme  languor.     As  to  pro-  I.-:ions,  they  are  in  the 
hands  of  Him  who  nourishes  the  birds  of  heaven.     I  set 
oi\t  buideued  with  my  sins  and  my  misery,  and  I  greatly 
need  prayers  on  my  bcihalf.     My  heart  tells  me  that  tho 
time  of  my  happiness  approaches.     Dominus  est  :  quod 
bouum  est  in  oculis  suis  faciat."" 
He  is  killed      There  N.'iis  need,  indeed,  to  bo  prepared  for  any  event, 
^quois.'^^'  to  undertake  such  a  journey.     After  the  religious  had  suf- 
fered for  a  month  all  the  hardships  of  want  of  provisions 
and  most  fiiglitful  routes,  it  was  deemed  best  for  the 
party  to  separate,  both  to  subsist  more  easily  and  to  be 
better  able  to  avoid  hostile  war-parties ;  but,  before  sep- 
arating, all  wished  to  confess  and  receive  the  Sacrament 
of  the  Altar.     Father  Buteux  retained  with  him  only  a 


'  Father  Gabriel  Dnii'lettes  ar- 
rived in  Ciinada,  Aujj;.  15,  161o.  Ho 
(liud  at  Qui')/fc,  April  8, 1C81. 


''  Relation  de  la  Nouvello  Franco, 
1G52,  p.  3. 
^  1  Kings,  iii.  18. 


HISTORY   OP  NEW    FRANCE. 


249 


young  Frenchman  and  a  Huron  ;  and,  as  tlio  rivers  began      1652. 
to  bo  navigable,  tlicy  bnilt  a  .small  canoo  and  embarked.'      ^^-v— ' 

The  next  day  they  were  obliged  to  make  sever.'d  port-  Ponth  of 
ages,  and  they  were  engaged  on  the  third,  Avlien  the  Unilux. 
Huron,  who  was  somewhat  in  advance,  felt  himself  sud- 
denly seized  from  behind.  The  missionary  and  tho 
Frenchman  were  at  tho  same  time  stretched  on  the  ground 
by  a  volley  of  musketry.  The  former  received  two  balls 
in  tho  breast ;  a  third  broke  his  right  arm.  He  had  but 
time  to  say  two  words  to  his  comiianion,  mIio  was  no  less 
severely  Avounded,  to  exhort  him  to  die  well,  and  to  offer 
voluntarily  to  God  the  sacrifice  of  his  life.  The  Iroquois 
at  once  dis2)atched  Ijoth,  stripped  them,  and  flung  their 
bodies  into  tho  river." 

The  Huron  was  desthuid  to  the  stake,  but  he  had  the 
adx'oitness  to  effect  his  escape.  Ho  reached  Three  Rivers 
on  the  8th  of  Jime."  A  body  of  young  Indians  were  at 
once  ilispatched*  to  look  for  the  missionary's  bodv,  but 
they  could  not  find  it.  Thus  scarcely  a  3'ear  passed  that 
did  not  see  the  soil  of  New  Franco  bedewed  with  tlit!  blood 
of  some  missiouai-y.  In  fact,  the  destruction  of  the  Huron 
towns  had  left  several  unemployed  ;  biit  they  were  almost 
all  spent  with  their  toils  and  labors,  and  no  longer  of  an 
age  to  acquire  new  languages,  so  that  they  were  obliged 
to   return  to   Europe.'     Among  these  was  Father  13res- 


'  Ri'lation  (le  la  Nouvcllo  France, 
165'J,  r  2  ;  Crciixius,  Uiatorla  t'lina- 
dcnsis,  ]).  G5T.  The  Friiichimm  was 
Fontnrabiu,  aud  tlio  Huron,  Thomas 
'I'sondoulannen  :  Hagueiu'au,  Jour- 
nal. 

^  Relation  de  la  Xouvdlc  Frnnco, 
lO'ii,  p.  1  ;  Crcuxiiis,  Historia  Cana- 
densis, p.  O.JT.  Father  James  I5u- 
teux  was  a  native  of  Abbeville,  in 
Picardy,  born  in  April,  KiOO.  He 
entered  the  Society  of  Jesus  at 
Rouen,  Oct.  3,  1030,  and  was  scut  to 
Canada  in  KiiU.  He  was  eighteen 
years  a  missionary  to  the  Moutaguais 


and  Algonquins.  He  was  a  man  of 
prayer,  mortification,  and  zeal.  He 
was  killed,  May  10,  1«.")3  :  Relation 
dela  Xouvelle  Franc(\  l(i.j3  ;  Creux- 
ius,  llistoria  Canadensis,  p.  O,")? ; 
Tanner,  Die  Uesillt-clialt  Jesu  hiss 
ziir  Vergie-sung  ilire.s  IJlutes,  etc., 
Prague,  Ki^i,  p.  (J!M. 

■'  Ragueneau,  in  his  Journal,  says 
May  38,  though  the  Relation  gives 
June  8. 

^  Not  from  Three  Rivers,  appar- 
ently, but  from  the  Attikameguee' 
camp  :  Relation,  Ki.'ii,  p.  :!. 

'  No missionoriea  returned  in  1053. 


)  \i ' 


250 


IITSTOnY  OP  NKW  FR.\NCB. 


1652.  saui,'  who  afterwards  i)roiicliocl  in  the  greatest  cities  of  Italy 
'"'"^''""^  ^\■it]l  an  apiihvuse,  duo  hiss  to  his  truly  pathetic  style  tliau 
to  his  eliurai'tcr  of  confessor  of  Christ,  and  the  glorious 
marks  which  lie  bore  on  liis  body.  He  also  produced 
everywhere  the  greater  fruit,  inasmuch  as  ho  could  with 
more  justice  propose  Christian  morality  in  all  its  i)urity, 
and  say  with  the  apostle — "  I  bear  the  marlis  of  the  Lord 
Jesus  in  my  body."  (Gal.  vi.  17.) 
Pro«res9  of  The  Isle  of  IMontreal  did  not  suffer  less  from  the  incur- 
ofMo'ii'-^  sions  of  tlu;  Iroquois  than  the  other  quarters  of  New 
Franco,  and  IMr.  do  ^Mnisonneuve  was  obliged  to  go  to 
I'aris,  to  seek  the  relief  that  ho  failed  to  obtain  by 
his  letters.'  He  retiuiied  in  1(553,  Avitli  a  re-enforcciiicnt 
of  a  Imudi'ed  settlers  ;  but  the  most  fortunate  acquisitiou 
which  he  miule  on  this  voyage  was  that  of  a  virtuous  vir- 
gin, Margaret  Bourgeois,  a  native  of  Langi'cs,  whom  ho 
brought  to  Montreal  to  take  care  of  his  liouse,  and  who 
subsi'ijuently  rendered  her  name  dear  and  worthy  to  all 
the  colony,  by  her  eminent  virtue,  and  by  the  institute  of 
the  Sisters  of  the  Congregation — an  institute  whose  utility 
increases  daily  with  the  numl)er  of  those  who  have  em- 
braced it.  I  have  spoken  more  at  length  of  it  in  my 
journal." 


trcnl. 


1653- 


In  Kino,  Brrssnni,  Lnlpmant,  Unnin, 
(iri'slon,  r.  I'ijiirt,  Duiicron,  and 
liniiin  returned:  .Inuniiil,  Sept. — 
Ni)v.,  IG'jO. 

'  Brcssani  wuut,  really,  Nov.  2, 
1600. 

»  lie  went  in  IfiSl  :  DoUier  do 
Caswin,  llistoirc  de  Montreal,  1(150- 
1  ;  Jitlninnt,  llistdire  du  C'aniidii.  p. 
(i  ;  Fnillon,  llistoire  de  la  Colonic 
Frani.aise,  ii.,  p.  llil  ;  Vie  de  la 
Su'ur  Hourgeojn,  1818,  p.  o3. 

'  l'"iullon,  wliile  stating  that  Mar- 
garet liourfieoys  did  act  as  hoUBe- 
keeiiir  f'oi'  Muisonneuvo  tor  lour 
years  lllistoi:'!'  de  la  ("olouie  Fian- 
(;ai8e,-ii ,  p.  217),  kIiows  (ib.,  p.  170, 


and  Vie  do  Marguerite  Bourgcoya, 
i.,  p.  114,  etc.)  that  she  came  to  teach. 
Margnret  Bourgeoys  was  Imrn  nt 
Troyes.  in  Chamyiagnc,  April  17, 
1020 — her  father,  Abraham  Bour- 
geoys, an  honcbf  shopkeeper,  and 
her  mother,  tiuillemetto  (inrnier, 
being  by  no  means  wealthy.  Her 
iiicliuaiion  was  for  tlie  nligious 
state,  but  ditliculticH  intervened,  and 
she  eiKleavored,  though  unsuccess- 
fully, to  form  a  congregation  <■(  Sis- 
ters in  the  house  of  Madiiuie  do 
Chuly,  sister  of  Miulame  de  Chonio 
d<^y,  to  whose  residence  she  retired 
also  ou  her  father's  death.  The  visit 
of  Maisonneuvi'  seemed  to  ofler  her 


IIIIsVORT  OF  NEW  FRANCE. 


251 


of  Italy 

Ic  tllilll 

,'lorioua 
■oduecil 
lid  with 
purity, 
10  Lord 


c  incur- 
of  New 

3    go    to 

tain  by 
roL'inont 
piihitiou 
lous  vir- 
lioiu  ho 
lud  who 
ly  to  all 
titutc  of 
;o  utility 
lavo  em- 
t  in  my 


Bourgeoys, 
o  to  teach. 
s  born   at 

April  17, 
mm  Bour- 
■epor,  and 
3  GnrniiT, 
Itliy.  Tier 
(  rclifrioua 
vincd,  ami 

iinsiicccss- 
tioii  111'  Sis- 
ladiiiiic  do 
dc  Clioiiiii 
she  retired 
.  Tlie  visit 
to  offiT  ber 


Soon  after  Mv.  do  Mnisonneuve's  return,  nii  event  oe- 
curred  in  the  isliind  whieh  wa.s  rej^'iirded  1)y  all  the  colony 
as  an  elt'ect  of  the  visible  protection  (jf  tlie  Mother  of  (iod, 
to  whom  it  was  eHi)ocialiy  consecrated,  and  whero  all 
really  Hved  a  life  to  merit  her  favors.  Twenty-six  men 
were  surprised  and  surrounded  by  two  hundred  Iro(|uois, 
who  fired  several  vollevs  at  them,  witliout  wounding  a 
man,  while  not  one  of  tluar  'shots  failed  to  tt;ll.  Tiio 
astonishment  of  the  Indians  was  extreme.  They  did  not 
think  it  wise  to  give  the  French  time  to  load  again,  but 
fled  in  all  haste.' 

The  governor  was  takuig  steps  to  prevent  S'ldi  sur- 
prises, when  sixty  Ouondagas  appeared  in  view  of  liis  fort. 


Iio<jnoi8 
dul'eiilod. 


a  field  for  her  dtsi^'ii,  and  she  em- 
barked with  him  iiiul  liis  new  rom- 
panv  of  settlers,  June  20,  KiHo,  on 
thii  St.  Nicholas,  of  Nunt<'s,  Ca|)tuin 
Peter  lo  Hi'sson.  Thi'y  readied  t^ue- 
boc,  Sept.  as.  She  opened  her  school 
in  a  Ktulilo  at  Montreal,  Nov.  25, 
lU5r.  Two  years  after,  witli  other 
ladies  Avium  idie  hnd  induced  to 
join  lier  in  France,  she  foiindi'd  tlio 
conf,'re;;ation  olOnr  l.ady,  recoj,'nized 
in  KKIU,  anil  formally  uKtalilished  in 
1(!7(!.  After  seeinji;  her  order  exti^nd 
on  every  side  the  blessings  of  edu- 
cation, she  died,  .January  12,  1700. 
See  Vie  du  lu  f-'a^ur  Ucjurp'oys,  12o., 
Montreal,  181S;  Vie  di'  la  So^ur 
Bourjseoys,  Fondatriee  do  la  Cou^j-re- 
gaiion  de  Nctre  Dame  ue  Villemarie 
en  Canada,  Paris,  2  vols.  8o,  1852; 
Histoid;  de  I'Motel  I )ieu  de  Quebec, 
p.  12u;  liU  Clercq,  Etab,,  ii.,  p.  ."iil. 

'  Mem.  de  la  S<;c.  Hist,  de  Mon- 
treal, p.  l:j|  ;  Kelation,  1(15;?,  p.  3  ; 
Crouxius,  Hii-t.,  i>.  (i(i;j.  Evidently 
tlio  action  of  October  11,  Ki.W,  d,-. 
scribed  by  HolUer  de  Cassun.  M, 
des  Musseaux.  govi  ruor  of  Mcmtreal, 
sent  out  Major  Lambert  Clos.se,  with 
a  scouting  party  of  twenty  four. 
Three   in   the    van    weri'   suddenly 


fired  up(m,  and  one  killed.    Another 
eseaix'd   to   a   wret<lied    house,   in 
w  hich  the  ri'st  of  the  party  also  took 
refuge,  with  a  colonist.     Here  they 
held   out,  doing   terrible  execution 
on  the  enemy  until  their  ammunition 
was  nearly  exliaiLsted.   Then  13a.st(m, 
a  brave  soldier,  made  Ins  way  to  tlio 
fort,  and   brought   up  a  re cnforce- 
niriit  of  ten  men,  with  two  small 
cannon  loaded  with  grape,     liy  tho 
belli  of  these  'i^'  reached  Clos.su  safo- 
ly.     When   the    lro(|iiois   had    sus- 
tained a   few  more  deadly  volleys, 
they  fled,  having,  out  of  two  hun- 
dred,   lost   (says   de  IJelmont,   Ilis- 
toire  du  Ciinada,    jip.  0,  7).  twenty 
kille<l  and  fifty  woundrd.     Mother 
Jucliereau  (Ilistoiro  do  I'llotel  Diju 
de  Quebec,  p.  ;>')  gives  an  account 
of     a     gallant     action    of     .Major 
("osse,      who,     at      the      head      of 
twi  uty,   nrcucHl  four  who  were  be- 
sieged   in    a    redoubt,   and    in    the 
action    killed    thirty-two    Iroquois, 
losing  only  four.    She  gives  no  date, 
and   it   may  be  a  fuller  Version  of 
this  same  affair  ;   though  Mr.  Fer- 
himi  (llistoire,  vol.  i..  p.  400)  seems 
to  idi'ntily  it  with  an  action  of  .limo 
1^;.  liiol  ;  Jesuit  Journal,  July  ;J0. 


252 


HISTORY  OF  NFAV  FRANC'K. 


1653. 


Nuw  ncyo- 

tiuliniiH  t'«r 

puaoo. 


I      4 


!■' 


S(imo  (Ictacliod  from  tlio  body,  and  approaclihig  with  f,'reat 
c'oiilidenco,  mado  signs  that  they  wishi'd  to  siKJiik.'  Their 
Hiiiull  inmilior  1(h1  to  tlicir  Ixiiig  adiiiittnl  witiioiit  dilVi- 
cully  into  tiio  fort,  and  thoy  dt'chired  that  tiicir  canton 
was  disposod  to  peace,  if  the  French  wonld  treat  witli 
them.  They  aeoonipanied  this  proposition  with  pn^sents, 
and  ^Ir.  dc  Maisdnneiive,  on  accepting  th^m,  called  tiicir 
attention  to  tlie  fact  that  the  I'n.'ncli  nation  was  far  from 
tliat  pertidy  whicli  had  so  often  made  them  abuse  the  con- 
fidence placed  in  tlieir  Avords — that  he  might  on  this 
occasion  resort  to  reprisals  and  treat  them  as  spies,  nil 
their  past  conduct  giving  him  the  right — but  that  Chris- 
tians act  on  far  ditl'erent  principles. 

Thoy  admitted  all  this,  and  declared  that  the  French 
would  soon  have  certain  proofs  of  their  sincerity.  They 
accordingly  set  out  to  convey  the  governor's  propositions 
to  thi'ir  sacjienis,  and  passing  homeward  through  the  can- 
ton of  Oneida,  tliey  iudu(;ed  the  chiefs  of  that  canion  to 
join  them.  That  of  Cayuga  did  tlie  same,  and  even  sent 
deputies  in  its  name  to  Montreal,  with  a  belt,  to  warn, 
the  governor  that  there  were  five  hundred  Mohawks  in 
the  field,  aiming  at  Three  Rivers.'  Mr.  de  Lanson,  to 
whom  do  Maisonneuve  imparted  this  intelligence,  dili- 
gently armed  all  the  Hurons  whom  ho  coidd  assemble. 
The  Hurons,  coming  up  with  a  considerable  body  of  Mo- 
hawks, well  posted,  attacked  them  so  resolutely  that  they 
killed  a  great  number,  caj)turcd  the  chief  and  several  of 
the  leading  warrior.s,  and  put  the  rest  to  flight.' 

Another  party  of  these  Indians  met  with  better  success. 
It  advanced  to  the  gates  of  Quebec,  where  all  sunnucr 
long  it  gave  constant  alarm,  committed  great  ravages  ou 


'  June  30,  1653 :   Relation  de  la  '  Tliia  exploit  of  the  Hurons  is 

NouvoUt!  Franco,  U>5o,  p.  4  ;  Murio  ajjinuently  tlint  (IcsitUhhI  as  havini^ 

dcl'Incnrnation,  lii'ttri'.St'pt.0, 1(153.  occiirrcil  at   Montreal,    August   l.j: 

'  Relation  de  la  Nouvcllo  Fniiicc,  Relation di;  la  Nouvcllc  France,  1(1."):!, 

IC)"):!,  11.    4;    ("reuxius,  llistoria  Ca-  pp.5,!);  Lo  Murcier,  Journal,  Aug. 

niiilcn.>iri.  |>.  (iii:;.  21,  105;{. 


I 


HISTORY  OP  NEW   FRANCR. 


253 


1 


all  sides,  iirnHHacrod  several  of  tlio  Froiicli,  iiiul  inailo  soino 
piisoiiLTH,  iimonf,'  whom  was  Fiitlier  Poiicct."  Tlii.s  inis- 
Hioiiiu-}'  wiiH  ^^ri'iitly  l)cl(iv<>(l  in  tlio  colony  ;  autl  it  wiih  no 
sooner  known  in  tli(>  eiipitul  that  ho  wuh  in  tlie  hiindm  of 
tlie  Iroquois,  tliiiu  forty  Fr(  iicii  nnd  many  Indians  took 
up  the  puvHiiit  of  the  Mohawks,  determined  not  to  como 
back  without  rescuing  him.  They  were,  however,  re- 
tained at  Three  Ilivers,  to  re-enforce  tlie  garrison  of  that 
post,  whi'.h  tlie  enemy  hekl  l)loekaded  on  all  sides." 

Bt.'f  iUg  that  town  tlu»y  percieived   two   heads 

drawn  m  the  trunk  of  a  tree,  with  Father  I'oucot's  naino 
bi'low,  and  that  of  a  Frentihman  who  had  been  taken  with 
that  religious.  They  also  found  on  the  gnmnd  a  littlo 
book,  in  whicli  the  niissionary  had  written  these  wonld  : 
"  Six  Hurous,  naturalized  as  Iro(piois,  and  four  IMnhawks, 
are  carrying  us  ofi",  and  have  not  yet  done  us  any  harm." 
He  could  not  say  as  much  a  few  days  after  ;  for  he  was 
not  spared,  any  nion^  than  Father  Joj^'ues  and  Father 
Brcssani  had  been,  in  similar  circumstauecs,  either  during 
the  march  or  ou  his  arrival  in  tho  Mohawk  canton." 


"'>S3- 


Captiiro  of 
Futluir 

I'olR'ut. 


i 


'  F.'itlirr  r-Tospph  Antliony]  Poncet 
[do  111  liivii're]  wixa  uncle  of  the  liiti' 
bishopot'UKCz. — C/iiirlcroix.  He  was 
a  native  "f  Paris,  anil  Ktuilitl  at 
Kouie :  Chaiinionot,  Aiitol)iou;raiiliie, 
p.  :jO.  He  was  instrumental  in  in- 
elucinp  Mother  Mary  of  the  Incarnn- 
tion  to  come  to  Canada,  in  which  ho 
arrived,  August  1,  16o0.  lie  laliored 
in  tho  Huron  country  at  Montreal, 
and  esiieeially  at  Quebec :  Helations  ; 
Charlevoix,  Vie  de  la  M.  Mario  do 
rincariiation,  ]>.  l!li!.  He  was  taken, 
Auf;.  liO,  l(55o,  above  Sillery,  whil(! 
endeavoring  to  get  a  jioor  widow's 
field  reaped  for  her  :  Helation  de  la 
Nouvelle  France,  10"),'),  p.  9  ;  Creux- 
iuH,  HiBloria  Canadensis,  ]>.  (iTJ  ;  Lo 
Mercier,  Journal,  Aug.  31,  Ki.")!?  : 
Belmont,  llitrtoire  du  Canada,  p.  7. 
Alter  his  captivity,  he  was  again 


pastor  at  Quebec  till  U>r,7,  when  the 
Abbe  de  Qiieylus,  aHsuiuing  juris- 
diction, dejirived  him.  He  was  then 
sent  to  Onondaga,  but  recalled,  and 
returned  to  Krauce,  Sejit.  IS,  1057  ; 
l)e(|uen,  Journal  (MS.)  lie  then 
labored  in  Uiittauy,  and  was  French 
penitentiary  at  Loretto,  and  after 
si'veral  years'  udssiou  lifo  in  tho 
West  Indies,  died  in  Martinique, 
June  18,  l(i7."),  aged  sixty-live ; 
Champion,  Vie  du  P.  Itigoleu,  p.  78  ; 
Amerikaiiisches  Martyrologium  in 
DieKatliolisihes  Kirche  in  den  V.  8., 
Hegeusburg,  18(,4,  ]).  Xii. 

''  Father  le  Mercier,  Journal,  Aug. 
21,  l(ir):j  (M.S., ;  Hi'lation  de  la  Nou- 
velle France,  1(15^,  \>.  10. 

^  Helation  de  la  Nouvelle  France, 
l(>5o,  ]).  10 ;  Le  Mercier,  Journal 
(MS.) ;  Mario  de  llncarnatioii,  Let- 


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254 


HISTORY  OF  NEW  FKANCE. 


•I'K"- 


1653.  Oue  (lay,  wlicn  thvy  wore  assoml tlcil  to  iloliberato  on 
lii«  fiito  ami  lliat  f)f  his  coniiMUiioi!,  a  woman  prcsentctl  a 
HinHiiffur-  l)riiiicli  of  wiimjnu)!,'  to  obtain  jxTmission  to  cut  off  0110  of 
his  liuf^iTs ;  ami  liavinj^  st'curcil  it,  an  Indian  a])proac'hecl 
the  missionary  and  took  his  right  liaud.  While  he  was 
examining  liis  lingers,  one  after  the  other,  tlio  missionary, 
who  had  a  presentiment  tiiat  ho  would  not  be  put  to 
death,  asked  the  Almighty  that  his  left  rather  than  his 
right  luiiid  sliould  bo  mutilated.  The  Indian  instantly 
drojjped  the  hand  whieh  he  held,  took  up  the  otlier,  and 
made  a  boy  cut  off  the  forefinger.  During  the  operation 
the  seiTant  of  God  chanted  tlie  Vvxilhi ;  and  at  its  close, 
the  branch  of  wampum  was  hung  around  his  neck,  and 
his  finger  given  to  the  wonuin  who  had  solicited  it.' 

The  next  day  ho  was  led  from  village  to  village,'  and 
everywhere  had  much  to  suffer,  especially  from  the  yoimg, 
to  wht)m  lie  was  abandoned,  and  \.ho  treated  him  with 
more  than  barbarous  petulance.  At  last  a  council  was 
held,  which  decided  to  burn  the  young  Frenchman,  and 
put  the  missi(mary  at  the  discretion  of  an  old  matron, 
whose  brother  had  been  captunul  or  slain.  The  young 
Frenchman  was  at  once  executed,  but  Poncet's  mistress 
sj)ared  his  life.'  Three  days  after,  an  Iroquois  came  from 
Three  Ilivers,  and  reported  tliat  they  were  on  the  point  of 
concluding  peace ;  that  Onouthio  demanded,  as  a  jjrelim- 
inary,  tlie  liberation  of  Father  Poncet ;  and  that  it  had 
been  necessary  to  give  him  hostages,  whoso  lives  depended 


tre,  Sept.  6,  KWS ;  Cn-uxiug,  Hi»- 
toria  CanadrnHis,  p.  078 ;  Bolniont, 
llintoiro  du  Canada,  p.  7. 

'  A  brand)  of  wampum  is  a  long 
thread,  on  which  Bcvoral  beAcls  of 
wunipum  art!  strung. — Chnrltrcur. 
The  wampum,  or  rlRni-slirll  beads, 
am  calliHl  by  Charlevoix,  ax  l)y  ear- 
lier French  writers,  jwirelaine,  ai>- 
parently  from  their  reseiiililancfl  to 
thi>  porcflain  iH'ads  which  iiad  long 


been  madt!  in  Franco  for  tho  trade 
on  tho  coast  of  Africa.  The  esprca- 
sinn,  hrnnrhe  de  purcclnine,  corro- 
8|M)ndB,  apparently,  to  the  fathom  of 
wampum  of  early  Now  York  writers. 

''  lielation  de  la  Nouvelle  France, 
16.')!1.  pp.  10-12. 

^  Poncot  mentions  but  one  of  the 
yillnges. 

*  Illation  de  la  Nouvelle  Fntnce, 
1653,  p.  14. 


HISTORY  OF  NEW   FIIANCK. 


255 


on  tlio  inissi(juftry'i(,  and  that  be  had  coino  iu  all  hiisto  to      1653. 
give  infonuation.'  ^— v^— ' 

This  inti'lli},'c'«co  in  a  moment  chanj^od  the  prisoner's  llo  is  ddw- 
position.  Thcv  first  took  him  to  Oraii},'^,'  to  have  clothes 
made  for  him— f(ir  his  own  had  been,  according  to  custom, 
torn  to  pieces.  On  returning  to  the  Jlohawks,  he  was  led, 
in  a  kind  of  triui)i]ih,  through  several  towns,  and  every- 
where greeted  with  marks  of  the  sineerest  friendship.  At 
last,  on  the  luth  of  October,'  he  set  out  for  (Quebec,  with 
a  deputy  from  the  canton,  who  bore  presents  for  the 
governor-g(!neral  and  the  superior  of  the  missi(ms.  They 
had  been  two  days  on  the  march,  when  they  were  over- 
taken by  an  express,  sent  to  tell  the  deputy  tliat  tlio  hos- 
tages who  had  been  placed  in  the  hands  of  the  French 
were  in  irons,  that  some  had  even  been  tomahawked,  and 
that  he  should  como  to  a  decision  on  the  matter  before 
going  any  further. 

This  information  embarrassed  the  deputy  ;  but  as  ho  DanRorthst 
esteemed  Father  Poneet,  he  contented  hiiilself  with  the  ''i,i""v".y°" 
missionary's  assurance  that  no  harm  should  befall  him, 
and  continued  his  route.  This  fir.st  alarm  was  followed  by 
some  others,  which  would  have  put  tlie  missionarj-  in 
great  danger,  if  ho  had  not  had  to  deal  with  a  man  ])re- 
possessed  in  his  favor.  Those  familiar  with  the  Indians 
are  not  surprised  at  these  incidents,  for  nothing  is  more 
ordinary  among  these  savages  than  to  spread  such  l)aso- 
less  rumors.  They  sometimes  spring  from  the  mere  iteh- 
ing  to  announce  something  new  and  unexpected,  or  fi'om 
the  mere  love  of  talk  and  of  mischief-making.' 


back  to 
(Jiiobuo. 


'  Rulation  de  la  Nouvelle  France, 
1653,  pp.  9,  14. 

'  lie  was  thorn  Sept.  20,  and  com- 
plain><  of  tlie  coid  n'c<'|>tion  given 
him  by  tho  goviTuor  of  Fort  Ornngo, 
although  a  IntU'r  from  Governor  do 
LauHon  was  handed  to  that  olficcr 
by  an  Iro<|uoiB. 

'  He  luft  the  last  Iroquuiij  town, 


Oct.  8:  Relation  de  la  Nouvelle 
France,  Id.W,  p.  10  ;  Cniuxius,  Ilis- 
toria  CnnadenHis,  p.  081. 

*  Relation  de  la  Nouvtdle  Franco, 
lO.'i;),  i)p.  10,  17.  An  event  belong- 
ing to  the  year  105;i  may  Ije  inserted 
here  from  tlic  Ji»iiit  Journal.  Fa- 
ther Raguont^au  nays,  under  tho 
month  of  May  ;  "  The  ','Oth.  a  coua- 


i2.>(; 


IIISTOIIY  OF  NEW   FRAXl'K. 


'653 


Peace  con- 
oludvd. 


It  is  most  fioiiuciitly  to  (li>fcjit  Homo  oporfttion  tliat  tlioy 
do  not  approvt'  ;  uiul  it  is  most  proluililc  tlmt,  in  tlio 
present  ciise,  tlio  autlior  of  this  minor  souj^Iit  only  to  set 
all  at  varianee.  Tlie  faet  was,  that  an  Al;,'on(|uin  had  been 
put  in  prison  at  Ijnebee  for  infoxieation,  and  that  not  ono 
of  the  Iroijuois  hostaj^'es  Inid  Iteen  molested.  Father 
Poneet,  fortunati'ly  delivered  from  these  perils  by  tho 
confidence  which  his  conductor  had  in  him,  nearly  por- 
islud  in  i)ort.  While  shootinf^  tho  Sault  St.  Louis,  his 
canoe  struck,  and  ho  was  in  f;reat  dan<^er  <jf  drowning.  At 
last,  on  th(!  5th  of  Novendtor,  he  reached  Quebec,  wlu're 
he  was  received,  as  it  were,  in  triumph,  and  where,  during 
the  eiitir(>  term  of  his  captivity,  tlio}'  had  not  failed  a 
single  day  to  ofl'er  public  ju'ayers  for  his  deliverance.' 

Peace  was  alri'ady  conchuled  ;  and  in  spite  of  post 
experii'uce  of  the  levity  anil  ])erfidy  of  tho  Iroquois,  the 
people  chose  to  Hatter  themselves  that  it  would  be  dur- 
able. The  Five  Cantons  had  conui  to  tho  step  without 
any  concert  with  each  other,  and  the  Mohawks  had  made 
advances  at  a  time  when  they  seemed  most  embittered 
again.st  us  and  had  nothing  to  fear  on  our  side.  This 
made  all  regard  it  as  the  work  of  Him  who  alone  can  give 
peace  to  the  world  ;  but  He,  apparently,  wished  but  to 
suspend  for  a  brief  period  the  fury  of  the  enemies  of  His 
name,  who  had  not  executed  all  the  sentences  of  His  jus- 
tice, and  give  a  colony,  where  Ho  had  u  great  number  of 
true  worshippers,  time  to  breathe.' 


cil  was  lu'M  at  the  fort  with  four 
Indian  iiniliaf.sa<!on<,  oc  w>  from  Nt-w 
England,  who  ha<l  l)nniglit  a  letter 
from  Mr.  Jolin  Ileliot,  minit<ter  of 
thow'  (nmrteni,  which  letter  wit- 
neiwtHi  tlint  tlie  four  Indiann,  talien 
prisoners  of  war  the  preceding  au- 
tumn !)>'  tlie  Algonquins  Atontrato- 
ronons,  wen*  neither  Hokokis  nor 
Inxiuois,  but  were  allies  of  tlie  Kn^- 
lisli.  .  .  .  The  rexiilution  of  tho 
oiuncil   was,  that  tiiis  nation  waa 


friendly,  and  remotely  allied  to  the 
Monta^naiH.  The»w'  amliai<8a(lor8 
brought  thirty-six  tino  large  iH'lts 
for  the  ])resent8  which  they  made;  to 
thank  us  that  their  |ieo))lo  bad  not 
bwn  tn'nte<l  hostilely." 

'  Kelaticm  de  la  Nouvelln  Franco, 
KWS,  i>.  17  ;  CreuxluH,  Historia  Ca- 
nadensis, p.  (J82.  I^!  Mercier  (.Jour- 
nal) says  he  reached  (iuel)ec,  Nov.  4. 

'  Ui'lation  de  la  Nouvello  France, 
lOSit,    pp.    17-lK).      Tho    Mohawks 


IIISTOUY  OF  NEW  FRANCE. 

The  next  yoar,  Fiithor  li-  ^Mcjync  was  sent  to  Onondaga 
to  ratify  tlio  tix-uty  in  tho  nanio  of  tlu;  governor-gcufial, 
ami  all  pasHoil  with  great  natisfaction  on  hotli  Hides.  Tho 
uiis-sionary  told  tho  Indians  that  ho  wished  to  have  his 
cabin  in  tlu;ir  canton,  and  his  oiler  was  not  only  accepted, 
but  a  site  was  marked  ont,  of  which  ho  took  possession. 
Ho  was  then  feasted  in  several  towns,  loaded  with  pres- 
ents on  behalf  of  all  tho  sachems,  and  taken  back  to 
Quebec  according  to  their  promise.' 

But  tlu!  joy  in8i)ired  by  tho  happy  success  of  liis  nego- 
tiation was  nothing  compared  to  that  whi(!h  ho  felt  at  tho 
sight  of  a  multitude  of  Huron  captives,  who  formed  amid 
tlic  heathen  a  church  quite  similar  to  that  of  the  Jews 
during  the  captivity  of  Uabylon.  Their  faith  had  boon 
put  to  the  severest  tests,  and  was  only  the  more  lively.' 
Tho  example  of  their  virtues,  and  the  pathetic  exhorta- 
tions of  some  of  th<'ni,  had  inspired  the  Iroipiois  with  an 
exalted  esteem  for  the  rehgicm  which  they  professed. 
Several  even  seemed  disposed  to  embrace  it.  Father  le 
Mojne  baptized  some  ;  and  his  extreme  desire  to  see  an 
IrotpKjis  church  well  established,  as  soon  as  possible, 
made  him,  on  his  return,  observe  silenc  t  as  to  an  event 
which  befell  him  on  his  route,  and  which  was  only  subse- 
quently learned  from  the  Irocpiois  themselves. 

He  was  in  a  canoe  with  two  Onoudagas.     Hurons  and 


257 


1654. 


Fiitlicr  la 
Miniiu  (jooK 

til  OlKili. 

cIhi;ii  to 

ratiiy  the 

truuly. 


Fervor  of 
the  lliirDti 

I'liptiVOH 

niiKintt  tliu 
Iruiinoin. 


mndc  tlii'ir  prcHonts,  Nov.  0,  niul 
tlicy  wen'  rrturncd  on  tlii)  0th  :  L« 
Morcicr,  Journal ;  M.  Murie  de  I'lii- 
cnrnation,  LcttrcH  Historitiui's,  yi. 
2'J(l.  A  Inrn<'  IriMjuoiH  jiurty  nu'ii- 
art.il  Tliri'o  Uivers,  but  tlioy  wv.to 
biiiiight  to  tiTiiiB  of  iM'iico  by  tho 
dt.-feat  of  u  party  near  Montri'nl  by 
thc!  Huron  cliu'f,  Aiinontiiliii  or  Kii- 
nontagn.  Thi'  bravo  Huron  took 
pri»oni'r»  wvcrnl  great  war-cliicfn, 
and  went  to  Three  Uivers  to  pro- 
pose negotiation :  Ia^  Mercier, 
Journal,  Aug.  H,  Ifir)!) ;  Dollier  do 
C'aB8on,  Hittoiru  de  Montreal  (MS.) ; 
Vol.  n  — 17 


Belmont,  Histoin;  du  Canada,  p.  7  ; 
Faillon,  Histoire  do  la  Colonie  Fran- 
(.aise,  J).  103. 

'  lie  left  tiuebee,  July  2,  ir..-|4,  and 
returned  to  it,  Sept.  11  :  Helation  do 
la  Nouvello  Friinci',  lfi.")t,  p.  11  ; 
Creuxius,  Hiistiiriu  ('unadensig,  p. 
70,') ;  M.  Marie  de  I'lni'iirnatiim.  I^et- 
trcH  lli8tiiri(|ues,  p.  2'.>li.  lie  at  thia 
time  discovered  the  Onondaga  nalt- 
Kprings  :  N.  Y.  !)<«•.  Hint.,  i..  p.  ;j:i. 

'  Helation  de  la  Nouvelh-  France, 
H!.')4,  p.  1;!;  t'ri'uxiuH.  IliMtoria  Ca- 
nailensis,  p.  707  ;  M.  Morie  de  I'ln- 
carnaiion,  Lcttres  Hititoriiiues,  p.  228. 


258 


11I8TGRY  OF  NEW  FRANCE. 


1654.     Algonquins  followed  iu  otliors.    As  tboy  apitronchi'il  Moii- 

^"""^""^  treal,  tlioy  wore  quito  HurpriHod  to  hoo  tlr  uihoIvoh  mir- 

Ailventiire  rouudod  by  several  canoes,  full  of  Mohawks,  who  poured 

Mojiif,  by  upon  them  a  volley  from  nil  thch*  muHkots.     The  Hurons 

"il'th.!     and  Algoucpiins  wi-re  all  killed,  as  well  as  one  of  the  Ou- 

ondagas — Father  le  Moyne  being  taken  and  bound  as  a 

prisoner  of  war.     The  surviving  Onondaga  was  told  that 

ho  might  return  home ;  but  ho  protested  that  ho  could  not 

abandon  the  missionary,  who  had  boon  confided  to  him  by 

the  sachems  of  his  canton,  and  ho  menaced  the  Mohawks 

with  all  the  wrath  of  the  Upper  Iro(piois. 

At  first  they  laughed  at  this  threat ;  but  when  thoy  saw 
that  the  Ononilaga  held  firm,  they  changed  their  tone, 
unbound  the  prisoner,  and  put  him  in  the  hands  of  his 
faithful  conductor,  who  took  him  to  Montreal.'  Mother 
Mary  of  the  Incarnation,  iu  her  well-written  and  highly- 
esteemed  letters,  full  of  excellent  notices  of  these  times, 
relates  the  event  somewhat  differently.  She  adds,  that 
the  conduct  of  the  Mohawks  was  disavowed  by  their  can- 
ton, who  threw  tho  blame  on  a  Hcdlauder,  born  of  a  Mo- 
hawk mother,  who  had  been  brought  up  in  his  mother's 
cabin,  lived  with  tho  Indians,  and  is  known  iu  oui*  llela- 
tions  only  under  tho  namo  of  Batard  Flamand — tho 
Flemish  Bastard.'  Bo  that  as  it  may,  this  accident, 
known  quite  late,  made  no  alteration  in  tho  an-angement 
made  by  tho  treaty  of  peace  concluded  between  tho  two 
nations.  This  was  not  even  the  only  insult  received  from 
tho  Iroquois,  and  as  to  which  it  was  dtiomed  prudent  by 
tho  French  authonties  to  closo  their  eyes." 
There  ^vero  then  six  huuilred  Hurons  in  Isle  Orleans, 


'  Relation  do  la  Nouvelle  Franro, 
1654,  p.  33.  Crousius  (Higtorin  Ca- 
nadensis, p.  71."i)  RuppoHes  tliiM  to  Im3 
on  liiH  return  from  Onomiaga  ;  but 
there  in  iiotliing  in  the  Uelnlion  to 
malic  U8  Hupixitie  it  to  Ix'ho.  It  wub 
apparently  going  from  liuelpee  to 
Montreal,  8ub8e<iuently.    'I'lie  Jour- 


nal of  le  Mercier  is  lost  for  this 
p«'rio<),  and  the  Relation  of  KJ.'t.'i  was 
currii'd  off  by  robbers :  Ferland, 
('ours  d'Uistoire,  i.,  p.  419. 

'  Relation  de  la  Nouvelle  Franco, 
1(;.")4,  p.  11. 

'  t'opie  de  deux  Lettrefl,  1055, 
p.  -i. 


iriS'l'dHY  OK  Ni;\V   I'llANCK. 

wlmro  they  bi-^'ivn  ti)  suppnit  tlirniHi-lvi-H  hy  tln'ir  own 
liilior.  Ah  tlicy  wcro  tlic  flower  of  tli»>  CliriHtiiiiis  of  that 
nation;  ns  they  Iiad  not  alMiii.loncd  tin-  Lor.l  in  the  I 
uiiHoricH  wlin-cwith  he  liad  jti'iniitted  tlicni  to  lu>  aHlictod  ; 
and  an  they  had  l.oinr  the  Kcanthil  of  tlin  (Vosh  with 
putiencf'  and  n'sij,Miation,  csjMTially  iidiniialilr  in  n«!o. 
pliytcK,  it  is  caHv  to  roncrivc  their  fervor  at  a  time  whin 
••very  thing  h'd  tiieni  to  >,niititude  towards  Him  wlio  givetii 
death  and  (|niikeneth,  always  for  the  i^nnd  of  His  elect, 
IJesidoH,  they  hieked  no  aHsistanee  which  conid  Hervo  to 
Monrish  their  i)iety.  The  most  fervent  had  heen  formed 
into  two  sodalities,  one  f(jr  men  and  lh(>  other  for  women  ; 
and  those  associations  '[n-udueed  among  these  fervent  In- 
dians the  sumo  fruits  of  holiness  that  wcro  then  admired 
in  all  parts  of  the  Christian  world  wliero  they  wore  ostab- 
lishod.'  And  tins  wo  say,  notwithstanding  what  is  written 
by  an  author  who  had  every  reason  to  distrust  his  inior- 
mation,  and  whoso  profession  shotdd  havo  rendered  hini 
more  reserved  in  spooking  of  things  as  to  which  ho  cou''. 
not  bo  p(>r4onj-.!ly  informed.' 

Th(3  desire  of  i:uitating  the  Queen  of  Virgins  modk  ,. 
nnnd)er  of  the  young  women  embrace  (u-libacy  ;  and  tho 
edifying  conduct  of  thes(>  spouses  of  Christ  invested  with 
respect,  in  tho  eyes  of  tlu>  Indians,  a  state  which  had,  a 
few  years  before,  boon  dtisjiised.  The  other  sedentary 
missions  gave  no  less  e'diacation  to  the  French  ;  and  tho 
tranciuillity  brought  about  by  the  peace  gave  hopes  that 
all  tho  nations  of  tho  North  and  East  would  soon  end)race 
Christianity— nothing,  it  seems,  any  longer  pn.'venting 
their  approaching  us,  or  our  missionaries  visiting  them. 

Meanwhile,  tlio  Mohawks  were  laboring  undtM-hand,  and 
sought  an  opportunity  to  tr()ul)le  the  repose  which  wo 
and  our  allies  enjoyed.  Interest,  a  motive  hitliorto  little 
known  among  these  people,  but  which  had  been  inspired 


'  Relation  do  la  Nouvello  Franco,        »  Le  Cl<rcq,  Etnblibucment  do  la 
1054,  p.  80.  Foi,  I.,  p.  rm. 


250 

1654. 


'irly  of  II18 

IlllfMlin   ill 

Uli'Or- 
luviiii. 


2m 


niSTORY  OF  NEW  FRANCE. 


1654.     hy    Europoftu    coinniorco    and    exftiiiiilc,    wftg    tlio    iiiaiii 
'""""'""'  giKiiiul  of  tlmir  tliscontout ;  aud  their  jealousy  against  tlio 
Till'  Mo-    other  cuntonH  had  wowed  tlie  Heeds  of  gntut  contentions 
to  iiriuk  .itiini<)nf,'  fheni.     As  long  as  the  war  lasted,  that  nation  had 
lu  iniKc.  j,.n,j,,(|   (.xclnsively   with   tho   Duteli,   whieh   greatly   dirt- 
jjleaH«(l  tho  I'pper  Cantons,  because  the  trail  which  they 
wore  obliged  to  tako  to  roach  Orange  was  very  long,  and 
eouipelied   them  to  pass  through  tho   lands  of  tho  Mo- 
hawks, who  thus  held  them  in  a  kind  of  de})endence  ;  and 
besides,  tho  Mohawks,  supported  by  their  propinquity  to 
tho    Dutch,   woro   ablo    to   dictato   terms   to   tho   whole 
country.' 
Tiipyro-        All   those   advantages  ceased  with   tho   iicacc,   which 
tiiiiiun,  mill  opened  trade  between  tho  French  an  I  tho   lippor  Cau- 
luj-broiiitr.  tons.      It   is  not,  therefore,  astonishing  that  tho  latter 
showed  so   much   eagerness   to  conclude  tho  treaty,  or 
that  the  Mohawks  nianifostod  repugnance,  and  repented 
as  soon  as  they  had  concurred   in   it.      Moreover,  they 
iiover  wished  it  to  extend  to  our  allies  •   ">d,  in  fact,  they 
did  not  arrest,  or  discontinued  for  only  a  brief  term,  their 
war-parties  against  them.     Tlu  y  soon  wearied  of  observ- 
ing tho  conditions  agreed  upon  by  them  with   us,  and 
•which  consisted  in  their  not  appearing  in  arms  in   tho 
colony,  and  not  disturbing  tho  niissionaiies  in  their  func- 
tions.    A  Jesuit  lay-brother,  John  Liegcois,  was  found 
near  Sylleri,  pierced  by  two  musket-balls,  his  head  sev- 
ered from  the  body,  and  the  scalp  gone.' 

It  was  then  evident  that  there  was  no  longer  any  room 
for  temporizing  with  such  an  enemy,  who  was  without 
self-control ;  and  it  was  deemed  necessary  to  reduce  him 


'  Copio  (le  deux  Lcttrcs,  lOSr),  p.  3. 
See  also  Helatinn  de  la  Nouvello 
France,  1(I4«,  pp.  1(1,  17. 

''  Copif  df  deux  Li'ttres,  IfiS.'i,  p.  3  ; 
M.  Marie  de  I'liirurnatioii,  Ijcttri-s 
Histori(]iU'P,  p.  230  ;  ("reusius,  Ilis- 
toria  Ciinadonsis,  p  7;(3.  Bnither 
Liegeois  wag  killvd.  May  30,  1G55. 


He  had  been  in  the  colony  from 
1034,  and  rendered  importimt  ser- 
vices. Ho  hud  ju8t  put  up  a  fort  or 
blockhouHi-  at  SiUiTy,  and  went  into 
a  wofid  to  see  whetlierthere  were  any 
signs  of  the  enemy,  when  he  was 
Buriirisi'd  and  killed  :  Sketch  in  Jes- 
uit Journal,  close  of  1050. 


niSToRV  OP  NEW  FRAXCK. 


2C] 


iniiin 
it  tlirt 
ilions 
I  hud 
'  dis- 
they 
,',  and 
)  Mo- 
;  and 
lity  to 
whole 

which 
Can- 

Uvttor 
ty,  or 
)ontcd 
,  thoy 
t,  they 
,  their 
bserv- 
s,  and 
in  tho 
r  func- 

foiiud 
d  BCV- 

:  room 

lithout 
;e  him 

ny  from 
tiint  ser- 
n  fort  or 
fcnt  into 
wi-rcany 
ho  was 
!h  in  Jes- 


in  all  lia.sto,  while  thoro  waa  a  liopo  that  hr  would  not  lio      if.,-4. 
suslaiiic'd  by  tlm  utlicr  cantoiiH.     Aoconljni^ly,  so  many  ^— y— ' 
di'tachnu'ntH  were  sent  out,  that  tli.'v  lin.ilh  sucicfchd  iu  KvpLimf 
insiiii-iu},'  those  .savages  witii  alarm  ;  and  nntliin-,  ixTJiaps,  ^'"i',;)J;;,';. 
contriluited  to  thin  more  than  the  exploit  of  an  Algoutiuin 
Wjuaw  of  Sylk'ri.     Hhc  was  in  tho  field  with  her  huslxuid 
and  ciiildren,  when  five   Mohawks   suddenly  started   ui), 
nished  on  her   unsusi>ecting   husband,  and   hound   him. 
The  children  were  too  small  to  escape,  ami  for  the  samo 
reason  they  neglected  to  bind  the  woman.     The  Moliawks 
paid  dearly  for  this  confidence.     At  a  moment  when  th(>y 
least    exi)ected    it,    tho    courageous    (.'hristian    seized    a 
hatchet,  drove  it  into  the  head  of  the  eiiicf  of  tho  parfv, 
and  then  tomahawked  another  who  ran  up  to  his  assist- 
ance.    Tho  remaining  three,  astonished  at  such  boldness, 
at  once  fled,  leaving  our  heroine  with  her  husband,  whose 
bonds  she  cut,  and  her  children,  whom  she  touk  back  in 
triumph  to  tho  village.' 
These  reverses  disgusted  tho  Mohawks.    They  once  more    ^,    .. 

T     "1.      1  11.  ^  **" 

soJiciteil  peace,  and  this  time  without  any  restriction  ;  and   i'»«i<Hro- 
as   tliey  were  very  earnest   to   have   a   missionary,   and   l"'"''-    a 
Father  le  Moyne  still  more  earnest  to  ol)tain  permission  ut'iven'io 
to  go  among  them,  their  wishes  were  gratified."    Tho  mis-      """"' 
sionary  was  well  received,  and  this  was  suflii-ient  to  con- 
vince him  that  the  Mohn-^^ks  really  wished  to  live  on  good 
terms  with  all  the  world.     He  was  not  disabused,  even 
after  one  of  those  savages,  taking  the  part  of  a  maniac  or 
possessed  person,  ran  the  whole  night  long  through  the 
various  cabins,  tomahawk  in  hand,  yelling  that  he  meant 
to  kill  Ondesson.      This  was  the  missionary's   Irocjuois 
name,  and  had  been  borne  by  Father  Jogues  before  him.' 
This  madman  would,  apparently,  have  cunied  out  his 
threat,  had  he  found  minds  at  all  disposid  to  approve  it ;  bnt 

'  Copie  de  deux  Lettres,  1C55,  p.  8 ;  '  Ondessonk :  R.-lniion,  Kiii!),  p  .';;!. 

Creuxius.  Hist.  C'anad..  p.  743.  It  was  also  tlir  Ilur.m  umii..  of  Tob- 

'Co|>io  de  deux  Lfttres,  Uir^,  p.  souat  or  lo  Hort'iie  do  I'Isle:  Hila- 

2;  CruuxiuB,  Ilist.  Cauud.,  p.  743.  tion,  1037,  p.  \40. 


( '  I 


I 


202 


IIISTOUY  OK  NKW   FU.\N(  K. 


1654,  no  iiiir  iiiovrd.  Ah  to  FatluT  If  Movii*',  lu-itlu'ran  iiiciilint 
"■""■v— '  hlioMiii;,'  HO  foiuliihiNrl}  tlmt  it  wuh  not  yvi  tiuit*  to  tiUHt 
t<i  tli(«  MolmwkM.  nor  niniiy  ollu-r  rvciits,  coniiii},'  in  (|uick 
hiu  rcsHioii,  i-uiiid  iuiii<  I't'ivi'  liiiii.  I'ui'Hintdi'il  tlmt,  \>y  iliiit 
of  oultiMitiiij;  tlmt  siiviif,'e  ponpli',  i\wy  would  ultinmlcly 
tiiiiif  tliciii,  lie  did  not  titko  painH  cnougli  to  Htudy  tlii-ir 
clmriiitrr  11  study  \t'i  y  ncct'HMitry  to  any  one  wlio  foriiis  a 
|Mnj(i-t  so  dilliiult  as  that  of  d»'stio_\ ing  all  tla;  incjudicutt 
of  llic  mind  and  all  the  pasHions  of  tlic  heart.' 
Twnntlitr       '^'"'  dx'ndagaH  mscnn-tl  to  act  with  more  fi'aukn«>HH,  and 

*!"""""■     Fathtis  Clmunioiiol  and  !)al»lon  were  Htiit  to  them.'     Tho 

iirii-K  |«rt»- 

wf.l  iM  <ii.-  foiin,.!'  was  of  Italian  orii'in,'  and  at  the  time  the  oldeHt  »)f 

llll.luifll.  . 

the  missionaries  in  New  France,  where  he  lal»or»'d  to  au 


1655. 


extreme  oKl  agt!  with  unwearied  iSeal,  and  whuro  his  mem- 


'  ('(i|ili>  ill'  il*Mix  Li'itrrK,  lil'iO,  |i. 
2;  M.  .Murir  (li<  1  lui-uniutioii,  l^'U 
tn*  lliHiipriiiuc'H.  PI".  ',M.">  1).  Tlicy 
iiri-  iiiil  MCI  w'Vcri'  nil  li'  .Moviir. 

'  ('•i|ilc  (If  (li'iix  l.iilrfx,  ll!"i5,  pp. 
\i-ti ;  CriiuliiK,  lliHioriii  (  uiiuili'iiHii), 
p.  74ii.  riiuiiiiioiKit  lin  Ills  .\iiti>- 
liiiiirriipliii',  p.  1X1)  NivH  tlmt  .Mcimrd 

WIIN    HcllCllsl,    llllt    tlmt    III'    WItH    IMilt 

at  till'  iii-tiiiiri'  III'  (iiivrriiiir  <li-  Luii- 
Hill :  .M.  Marii'  ilr  riiicurimtioii,  Litt- 
tri'x  IIiHiiiri<pii'H,  p  '.' Id. 

■'  I'litT  .liiwpli  .Mury  ('Imtininiiiit 
waMKil  III  liuliuii  nri^'iii.  Clmrlrvoix 
WUH  liiislnl  liy  all  alliiHinii  of  Dalilmi 
to  IiIh  Italiait  Htyli'.  Krimi  IiIh  iinii 
vi'ry  t'lirioiiH  ucdiuiil  of  Iiim  lifo  it  a|> 
|M'ars  tlmt  hi'  uiitt  iMirn  m-ur  CliHtil- 
liiii-Hiir Si'iiic,  ill  mil,  ami  afttT 
niniiiii^  uwny,  and  ni'i'tin^  tiiaiiy 
»lrun>;i'  adviiitunw,  ciitrri'd  ihu  Ji'U- 
uit  iiii\  itialf  in  KiiiiH',  on  tliu  18th 
iif  .May,  l(i:t'J.  Father  I'oncct  in- 
dui'i'd  him  Ut  solicit  thi-  Aiiicrican 
niiMMiiin,  and  tlify  cami'  mil  tnKi'ihtT 
in  Kht'.l.  Chaunioniit  wax  at  oiii'it 
fMit  III  ihr  lliiriin  miMHion,  and  tluTu 
Hpiiit  ilcvi'ii  yrarc,  vihilin>r  llurnnH, 
I'l  tiiii.'^,  and  Ncutt-rii.    llo  fuundud 


till-  rolony  on  IhIc  Orli'Hn*.  Aflt'r 
hid  ri'liirn  Imm  Oniinda|;a,  \w  ro- 
Niiinrd  hiu  cari'  of  ilif  IlnriuiH  ut 
CJih'Im'C,  li<'aiiport,  and  linully  at 
l.iiri'tli',  wliirli  III*  tiiiiiidi  d.  lUiriu^f 
u  vihit  III  .Moiitri'ui,  III'  I'KtubiiKliiHl  a 
Htill  HiiliMihliii^;  riiiil'raliriiity  ul'  llio 
lliily  Kamily.  lli'  ilji'd,  Krliniary 
^1,  Hilllt.  iliH  Indian  nainr  won 
Iji'clion.  lifvidi'H  IiIh  Autobio^'ru- 
phytwitli  Bri|iU'l,  .Vi'W  Voik.  isriSi, 
liii  wriilf  u  llmriiiiKh  Huron  ^t-ani- 
iiiur,  of  wiiich  u  traiiHlation  hna 
Ixin  piiIiIIhIk-iI  in  tin-  'I'ranHuctionii 
of  the  (jiU'Im'C  Literary  and  IliHtori- 
cal  Society,  vol.  il ,  and  wvcnil  Ict- 
tiTH,  prt'HtTvi'd  In  the  Hi'ltttionH  and 
in  Curayon,  DiM'tinuntM  lui'ditM. 
Claudii  Dalilon  >vaH  apparently  fmni 
DieinK'.  Ho  arrived  in  Kirir),  und 
after  lalMjfinK  atOnondafj^a,  explori^ 
the  l'ii|x'r  Siigiienny,  and  attempted 
to  reach  HiidiMm'H  Uay.  In  lIKIH  ho 
wan  sent  to  Lake  8u|K'ri()r.  He  be 
euinu  HUperior  of  the  niimionH  in 
lliTU,  and  wuH  in  olllce  in  UWH.  Ho 
dii-il  at  yueliee,  in  Il!!l7.  He  Ih  tho 
author  of  tho  liulatiuDH  fur  1U71  to 
lU7t>. 


HISTORY  OF  NKW  FRANCK. 


2o:j 


ory  JH  Htill  ill  bfiiodittioii.  Futlicr  Diililon  Inul  luit  jumI  1655. 
arrived  from  Fiuium',  and  nipidly  iiiM|iiir»d  11  liij,'li  nputii-  '-^y-^-' 
lion  for  wihdoni  and  virtue.  'I'hesr  two  luiioierH  set  out 
from  (Juel>er,  Si'iitenilxr  !!•,  Km'*,  with  tln'  dtiputies  of 
OiioinlaKii  wlio  iiad  eoiuo  t«»  invito  tlieni,  atteiidid  \>y  a 
giciit  nuinluu-  of  IndimiH  of  tiio  Hanio  nation.  Tliey  did 
not  even  wait  till  tiiey  reached  tiu'ir  missionary  (hstiiia- 
tiou  l)efon>  coinnnnein^,'  the  hiliors  of  tiie  apostolate.' 

Th»'  fiiHt  (hputy  was  aeeonij)anie<l  i»y  his  wife,  who  was 
extremely  deli^'hted  with  hU  that  hIui  saw  anions'  tho 
ChristiaiiH,  especially  in  tlii)  two  communities  of  nuns. 
She  incessantly  (juestioned  Father  Chauinonot  as  to  our 
ceremonies  and  mysteries.  Seven  or  eij,'ht  Iro(iuois  united 
with  her  to  roceivo  instructions.  They  wcro  touiluHl  hy 
tho  missionary's  words,  uud  on  reachinn  their  country 
■were  in  a  condition  to  receivo  baptism,  which  was  admin- 
istered  to  tiiem  with  great  poinj).  What  tlu^  examples  of 
French  i)ioty  had  produced  in  the  heart  of  tho  Jrocpiois 
woman  just  uientioucd,  tho  fervor  and  zeal  of  tlu^  Huron 
captives  produced  in  the  dilVereut  towns  in  which  they 
liad  been  dispt-rscd,  and  tho  missionaries  everywhero 
fouiiil  a  sincero  aj)pr(U'iation  of  Christianity  and  hearts 
disposed  to  einbraeo  it.' 

They  reached  that  canton  on  tho  5th  of  Novemlxrr,  and  Tiiey  ,.i«.it 
they  had  every  reason  to  augur  well  for  th(!  future  from  "  '"'"■"""• 
the  rec»4)tion  extended  to  them  in  the  principal  town. 
Tho  presents  which  they  bore,  in  tho  name  of  :Mr.  do  Lau- 
8on,  wore  accepted  with  rosjjoct,  and  presents  ch'liverod  in 
return.*  A  site  was  then  assigned  to  the  missionaries  for 
a  rosidonco  ;  and  as  soon  as  they  were  lodged,  tho  Fathers 

'  Coi.ic  (If  dfux  l-.'ttr.'H,  p.  :t ;  lie-  in  tlif  N.  Y.  D(HMim.-nt«ry  History, 

Intion  (1(1  la  \.  K.,  1(!5(J,  p.  7  ;  ('mm-  i.    Tho  woman  referred  to  is  Teoton- 

ius,  IliHtoria  CaniidenslH.  p.  74H.  ImraHoii :   Heialion,  UiM,  pp.  15,  23; 

■'  They  Nil  out  from  guebi-c,  Sept.  CreuxiuH,  Hint,  ("miad.,  p.  701  ;  U-i'. 

19,  KIM  ;  left  .Montreal.  Got.  7  ;  and  tres  IlJHtoriipicK,  p.  'J4I. 
reaclied   Onondaga,   Nov.   5  :    U,,la-         ^  Ueiatlon  de  la  Nouvelle  France, 

tlon  d(i  la  Noiivell..  France.  l(l.5tl.  pp  itm,  p.  l") ;  ('reuxiiw,  Jiistoria  C»- 

7-iJ.    This  full  diary  is  in  English  nadensis,  p.  701. 


«♦ 


f     r 


2(\i 


\\\ti'V{>H\    OK    NKW    riJANCK. 


\(> 


>v 


Frultn  of 

their  tlrnt 

iiiburs. 


inrortiiftl  till'  Hiu-hciiiH  tliiit  tlirv  drHirciI  to  ilcclaii',  in  full 
coiiiicil,  iiiid,  if  |ius>ilil(',  ill  a  ^('ll(  ral  iihsci  ililv  of  the  can- 
toll,  tilt*  iiitciilioiiH  of  tlioht;  who  had  Miit  th'-iii.  Thin 
I)ro|ioHition  wiih  wi>ll  risccivi'd,  uiul  tlio  UHHciiibl^'  wuh  u 
very  liirj^o  one.'  *  ' 

Fiitiu'r  Chaui'ioiiot  tlurc  discoursed  of  tlm  C'lirittiau 
faith  in  a  iiianiur  uliicli  lillcd  all  his  heaiciH  \Nitli  astoii- 
ishiiu'iit.  He  iiisist(>d  stroii^dy  on  die  iiiarvclloiiH  chaii^o 
whivdt  Christianity  works  in  the  hearts  of  those  who 
eiiiliracc  it  siiieerely,  and  the  ttlVtct  of  this  ])art  of  his 
address  derived  additional  v.ei^^Iit  from  the  fact  of  their 
haviiij,'  evident  exaniples  lu-foiv  their  eyes.  At  the  eloso 
of  his  di-icoiirse,  an  orator  thanked  him,  in  the  name  of 
all,  for  the  zeal  which  ]'"  showi  il  for  leading  them  to  an 
eternal  felicity,  and  told  him  that,  compared  with  the 
French,  other  Kiiro))eaiis  did  not  know  how  to  talk.' 

They  at  once  iie^an  to  i)nild  a  clia})el  ;'  and  .m>  many 
lent  a  hand,  that  it  was  finished  in  one  day,  and  that  very 
day  u  <  'echumen  vtas  liaptizetl  in  it.'  Thenceforward 
the  nii.'^sionaiies  exercised  all  their  functions  with  the 
Hamo  freedom  as  thuu^di  they  wire  in  the  midst  of  the 
French  colony,  and  they  found  many  hearts  cjf  which  the 
Holy  Ghost  had  already  taken  pos.session.  A  youiif^ 
luaideii,  not  yet  hajiti/.ed,  rtfused  the  two  Itest  niatdu's  in 
Ler  tuwu,  for  the  solo  reason  that  hur  HuitorH  wuru  idul- 


'  Ki-lati<in  (If  lo  Nouvi'llc  Frnnoo, 
KUiO,  p.  14.  !)«'  Lhum)!)  liiul  eoiiciMicd 
t<)  thrni  11  trnct  tfii  ieafiut'M  ciiuuri', 
nt  or  ni-nrOiioniliiga  ;  Arrhivcn,  Hii- 
ri-nu  (li-H  Ti'rn-K. 

'  Tlio  iiicuting  at  wliich  tlm  pn-n- 
cnt«  wtTi'  ffivru.  and  thr  oiiu  wluTo 
C'liaiiniiiniit  ^ijkjRi'  hi)  al>ly,  were  the 
Baini- :  l<«-lntioii,  )>.  !.'> ;  CrciixiuH,  p. 
'('01.  '  lif  Onundaga  i)r«'Hriit«  wero 
givt-n  ill  till-  naiiio  of  the  SiiffiK'hicn- 
da^jurir,  calli'il  by  our  writi-rs  Ato- 
turho. 

*  The  comparison  wm  with   the 


Diitcli :     lii'lation    dc    la   Nouvf'.io 
Franc.',  laid,  p.  17. 

*  Tim  pri-wntB  wrri'  rctiinu'il  on 
till-  llltli.  nnd  l)i(>  cliBiii'i  i|Uotiiin 
taken  up  till-  ITtii  :  Itrlntioii  de  la 
Nouvclle  Franro,  l(J.")(l,  p  'M  ;  Crcux 
luH,  lliHt.  Ciinad.,  pp.  7TII,  771. 

'  {{elation  do  la  Nouvelle  Fmnee, 
l(i5(i,  p.  'iO  Tbieo  c'lilldreii  wero 
baptized,  Nov.  Is,  tlic  day  of  itH 
erection:  CreuxiuH,  Iliittoriu  <"nn»- 
deuHiH,  )i.  771.  Cbniimonot  (in  IiIh 
Autoliiofrrapliie,  p.  (!7)  gives  inter- 
VHtiug  dutttila, 


IIISTnll, 


NKW    FIUNCR 


205 


fttiTH.  A  f « w  <lii}M  after,  II  wiir-rhiff  ImviiiK  in  viiiii  1655. 
Holiciti  liii'  t(i  Mill,  n-suitcil  to  violciu-j'  tii  (-(iniiicl  lur  ;  '"'<'"' 
l>iil  till  nolilt^  cnnvcrt  liiui  tlu'  foititiidi'  to  wn-wt  licisilf 
from  liJH  liaiiils,  uiid  csciiiu'  to.  a  plu''/  fn<i-  from  IiIh 
jirfHceutioiiH.  After  muli  a  trial,  Fatlier  ('liamiionot 
thoiinlit  it  wroiif,'  to  liesitiite  nuy  longer  to  confer  liaptiNMi, 
which  she  Holiciteil  with  ^,'reat  eariieNliiesM  ;  aiiil  he  hail 
tlie  I'ohHohition  of  hearing,'  the  heatlieUM  tiieiiist  1v«h  my 
that  Hh*)  tlewrvi'tl  to  la.'  a  ChriHtian-  u  (UHMMive  testihiony 
in  favor  of  u  n-li/^ioii  wIiohc  sanctity  i  .>t  ovon  Hhertina^o 
ami  lianliieHH  of  heart  coulil  Mreveiit  niou  from  ackiiowl- 
cilKii.K.' 

A  woniun,  much  eHtfomed  iu  tlio  canton,  waH  ouo  of  t!io 
firHt  tu  tako  l<cr  placu  amon^  th<'  poHUiIant.  for  Ixiptism, 
and  her  wjiole  family  followed  her  exaniph.  Some  .if  tho 
heathen  wiHlunl  to  persuatle  jier  tjiat  sin  wouid  ie^,'ret  it, 
and,  HJiortiy  after,  hIhi  Mank  into  an  exireiii;  Ianf,Mior.  Sho 
had  a  f^randnon,  ten  or  twelve  yearH  old,  to  whom  she  was 
«rentlv  attached.  This  cliild  wuh  attacked  \>y  the  saino 
disease  as  his  j^'randmother,  and  so(-ii  wasted  away  to  such 
nil  extent  that  his  viiy  si^ht  insiiired  Jiorror.  Th(  ene- 
mies of  Christianity  did  not  fail  to  turn  these  accidents  to 
necount ;  luit  their  triumph  was  Inief  enough,  (iod  in- 
spired tlie  sutVerers  with  a  constancy  and  1  siijnaliou 
wiiich  hei  ume  the  topic  of  conversation  and  the  admira- 
tion of  till  whole  town  ;  and  the  moment  thev  received 
baptism,  they  recovered  perfect  health." 

This  marvel,  which  was  followed  by  several  oth-rs,  did 
not,  however,  save  the  two  reli^'ious  from  expel iencini^ 
many  contradictions  and  ruiiiiiiij,'  many  risks,  chietly  at 
the  hands  of  some  Hurons,  who,  bein^'  hardened  in  heart 
while  they  were  m  their  own  country,  ke]it  con.stantly  in- 
Binuatinj,'  in  tho  minds  of  the  Iroquois,  that  if  they  per- 
mitted tlie  introduction  of  this  titian^t!  relij,'ion,  it  would  in 

'  Relation  dr  la  Ncnvi'llc  Fraiioo,  '  The  WDiimii  Ihtc  rcf'nrcd  to  is 
IfWd,  p.  'Si;  Crmixius,  Uiaturii;  Ctt-  Tooloiiliarusmi,  tlirir  Ii<)>iihh  :  Hila- 
nadonHiB,  p.  774.  tion  du  la  Nouv.  Frauco,  1000,  p.  ^3. 


y 


2G6 


llIS'l'OHY   OK   NKW    KIIANCR 


1655.  tinio  foinuiit  i\w  saiao  riivaj^os  us  luul  boon  soon  evory- 
^■""'r— -^  whoro  that  it  liatl  boon  proailu-d  :'  ami  as  UDthiiij^  niakos 
a  givator  iinprossioii  im  llio  luiiul  of  thoso  nations  than 
droaius,  llioy  iiiia^'int'd  now  ones  ovory  ilay,'  to  ondoavor 
to  bring  tho  Onondagas  to  tlioir  obj(>ct  ;  bit  tlioy  did  not 
snooood,  beforo  oaro  had  boon  taken  to  I'orowain  tho 
Indians  on  this  point. 
Pcgirnc-  It  was  about  tho  samo  tinio  that  tho  Inxinois  ooninU'tod 
Krio  niitioii.  thou'  dostiiiotion  ol  tho  nation  oi  tho  Lrios  or  of  tho  Cat. 
This  war  had  not  ^a  tirst  boon  fa\orablo  to  thoni ;  bnt 
thoy  woro  not  dishoartom  d,  and  at  hist  got  tho  ui>[)or 
hand  so  (•oni|>lott.'ly,  tliat,  but  for  tiio  gnat  hdio  wliioh  still 
boars  tho  nanio  of  that  nation,  wo  should  not  ovon  know 
that  it  had  existod.'  It  was  roast)nably  foarod  that  this 
now  suoccos  would  mako  tho  Iroipiois  rosumo  thoir  ;or- 
luor  haughtinoss  towards  tho  Frouoh,  but  tho  Onomhigas 
only  appoarod  bottor  lUsposod  to  unito  thonisolvos  nioro 
olosoly  with  tlioiu.  To  this  vm\  thoy  niailo  advanoos 
which  woro  doouiod  siuooro,  inasmuch  as  at  bottom  thoir 
own  interest  dictated  tho  stop.*     At  last  Father  Dablon, 


'  Ui'lntiim  ill'  In  NmiVfllK  Fraiici', 
1(I5(>,  p.  'i'}  ;  I'mixiuH,  llisloria  t'tt- 
nnilriisin,  p   !''>. 

'  Hi'lation  dc  In  Nouvcllo  Frnnci', 
Itlod,  p.  'i')  ;  Crcuxiux,  lliHtoriu  Ca- 
nnilondiH,  p.  770. 

■'TIm'  Kiii'lirdiiium  (Kclnliim,  lll.'">4. 
p.  U),  KiqiK'liriiiiiioiiM  ( licliilioii,  I(i(i0. 
|).  7) — ^misiJiiiiUHl  liif,iien'!iiiiin,  Uc- 
lulidii,  Midi,  J).  ''','•> — wiTi'  culliJ, 
cviili'iit'.y,  V:i.v  by  llic  lliiroiis,  niul 
Uiiiuc  by  till'  t)iuiii<ln>rns.  Tlu-y  nt 
oil''  tiiiu'  ilwi'lt  on  tho  wiutlii-rn 
Bhi'ic  III'  liuki-  Kric,  but  wcri'  coin- 
ix'Ufil  to  ritiii'  vi'i-y  i'nr  iiilnml 
by  wi'Hlcrii  t'ln'inicH.  'I'lii-y  luul 
liiaiiy  towns,  ciiliivali'tl  tlir  I'uitli, 
and  HjxiUi'  n  diali'i't  »!'  the  Huron  : 
Ki'lntion.  l(i-18.  |i.  40;  Uri-nnnni,  Uii'Vo 
|{uluti()ni',  p.  (i.  Tliry  witc  cnlUd 
hy  tliu  French  C'nt  uution,  from  tho 


nuniU'r  of  wild-cntH  in  their  coun- 
try :  Ue'.ntioii,  IImJ,  p.  10.  In  1054 
tlii'V  were  »uppone(l  to  have  two 
tliouMind  brnves,  excellent  bowMen, 
with  poiioned  arrowH  :  lb.  None  of 
the  Helations  jjivc  any  inori'  definite 
inl'orniation  a^i  to  their  location,  and 
of  their  towns  but  one  name,  Kentai- 
I'Uton,  has  been  preserved,  and  that 
cannot  In'  idenlilied.  Catharinu 
(ianneakteiui,  foundn'ss  of  the  In- 
dian vilhifTP  at  l<a  I'rnirie,  wils 
from  this  town:  t'hnucheliere,  MS. 
■*  This  colony  to  Onondaira  was 
proniii^ed  in  thi'  spniif;  of  1(104  (Ue- 
lation  lie  la  Nouvelle  France,  p.  Ill); 
bill  de  hauson  had  no  means  to 
ert'ei't  it.  and  he  sent  missionarirs, 
chietly  to  gain  time.  A  council  held 
Feb.  'J'.t,  H!."i(!,  in  which  a  ruiiiiiro 
Wtt«  thrctttouoil,  made  it  noces.'sary 


IIISTOUY  OK  NKW  FRANTR. 


20-? 


in  coticort  witli  tluMii,  jnocccdcnl  fo  (Jiicbco,  to  o\u\oti\or 
ti)  iiuliu't'  ISfr.  ill'  JiHUsun  io  sfiul  ;i  ^'ooil  miiiibrr  of  Ficiu'Ii  ^ 
aiiiouj;  tliiMii.' 

Ho  sturtoil  1)11  till'  'ill  of  ]\[iiroli,  IfiaC),  with  a  muui'ious  I 
nsi'ort,  ami  rt'iu'lu'il  (^)iii'lt(r  only  in  tlio  eiirlv  part  of  , 
Aiiril."  Ill'  hail  no  iliUii-nlty  in  briiij^'iiij^  Mr.  ili'  Jiansoii 
into  tlin  vii'ws  of  tlio  Iroqnois  ;  ami  imtwitlistamlin^  all 
that  was  told  that  gciioral  by  a  llnroii.  who  had  livi'il 
long  among  tho  C)nonilagas,  (o  dissnadf  him  from  trusting 
to  tliosi  Indians,  lu>  fonld  not  alti-r  his  ri'solvi-.'  J''ifty 
Fronehmi'ii  wi'iv  rliosi'ii  to  go  and  fonn  tho  proposoil  set- 
tli'ini'iit,  and  tin-  Sii'iir  Duiuiys,  an  olVu'rr  of  thi>  garrison, 
was  assigiu'il  to  tiii'in  as  I'ommamlaiit.'  I'atht'r  l''rani-is 
lo  ]\riri.'ii'r,  who  had  siu'ci'i'ili'd  Fathor  Ji'ronu'  1  alli'inant 
in  tlio  ortJi'o  of  siiporior-gi'iirral  of  ihi>  missions,  wisiird  to 
condiii't  in  lU'ison  thosi'  of  his  ri'ligious  whom  hi>  had 
si'loett'd  to  ostablisli  thi'  first  Iroqnois  i-huivh.  Thi'so 
were  Fathi'rs  Fniuin,  Mosnanl,  and  Dablon."  Tlu'ir 
di'parture  was  lixi'd  for  tlu'  7th  of  May  ;  and  although  tho 
harvest  had  bi-i-n  by  no  nit'ans  iibnndant,  the  Siiur  i)u- 
puys  was  plontifnlly  sni)plii'd  with  nii-ans  to  sni)port  all  ■ 


1655. 


riiji'.'l  "f  a 
ii|nl:>'ii. 


1656. 


for  nul)1<Mi  111  {TO.  oih'cinllv  Hs  llicri- 
wiiu  a  it'inMt  tliat  OiKmilii'rns  witi' 
illl|>I'i^^cllU'lial  Moiiti'i'iil :  ('liiuininiiot 
Autohiiijfriililni',  \>.  (iS  ;  Ht'liilinu  ilf 
111  Nouvi'lli'  Kraiii'i',  Kl'id,  i>.  ;!."i  ; 
(."rruxiuK,  Hist.  ('iiniuli'nsiK.  ]>.  T!M. 

'  In  July,  h!")."),  tin'  Diikfilc'  naiiii*- 
villi',  ('(itiiit  lit"  liinm,  wa.s  ajiaiii 
iiiaili' virn-ivy  of  New  Franc':  Mem. 
Hist.  Soc.  .Miiiitiinl.  11.  111). 

'  lie  miilii'cl  .MiHilfral.  .Man  h  lit), 
Ili.")(!  :  C'ri'iixiii.-i,  Uist.Caiiail.,  p.  70)1. 

'  Ui-laliiin  (If  la  N.  K.,  Ki'iti,  p  ;;s. 

*  /adiary  dii  I'livs  was  (■oiuniaii- 
liaiit  of  t'li"  I'orl  lit  IjucIh'c  J-'ciliiinl, 
Cdurs  il'llisloi/r.  i.,  p.  .'.'(I*  aii.l  lif- 
cniiic  si'lwipuiilly  .Major  ot'  .Muii- 
tri'ul :  Faillim,  ii  .  pp  :lHS.."il  7  ;  .Mirii. 
8<)f.  Hist.  Mnnlr(;il.  p.  l;i:i  M  .Mary 
of  llio   liu'anialiiiii  siualis  liif;lily(if 


liim:  liitti.'s  Historiipiis.  p.  T);",  llo 
liKiktcn  siililicrsof  llic  jrarri.siiii  (tl-'t., 
Ki.lS.  p.  ;i),  ami  apiMirciilly  forty  othiT 
I'riiiclimcii  :   IJ.Iatinii.  !(;,")(!,  ,i.  ;;tl. 

■'  rr:iiii-is  li'  Mcrcicr  I'litin-il  tho 
onli'rOi't.  It,  lll'.'O  ;  came  toraiiada 
in  lll;!."i  ;  was  on  the  llurnii  mission 
till  its  ruin  ;  Sii|K'rior  iVoiii  l(;,"i:!  Id 
1(l-"iil.  aiii'  from  liiC..")  ti'  l(>70.  and  as 
smh  ]aililisliril  six  Ki'lalions.  llrwua 
for  a  time  dinrtorol  M  Mary  of  tho 
Incarnation.  .M'u"  l<'«\  iiifi;  I'Hiiada 
in  lli7;l.lu' was  will  lo  tin-  West  Iii- 
diis  a.s  visitor,  and  ilii d  at  Marli- 
iiiipii',  .lull.'  r,',  lii'.lli.  Jiionio  l.alo- 
iiiant.  Ii  irn  at  I'arid  in  l."i!):i,  laino 
in  Canada  in  Ili.iS;  on  lliiiiiii  niirt- 
sioii  till  llil.'t;  Siiprrior  from  Kill  to 
l(l."il)  ;  in  h'laiHi'  floin  li;."ill  lo  lll."i',)  ; 
iipiiii  Superior,  H!")!)  to   llKi.")  ;  died 


f 


268 


H18T0nY  OP  ^  EW  FRANCE. 


1656.     his  party  duriug  a  wliok'  year,  as  well  as  seed  to  sow  the 

^—''^f~'~'  lands  of  which  he  should  take  possession.' 

iioxtiiity  of     The  uows  of  tliis  enterprise  having  sjjread  around,  gave 

imwktt.     the  Mohawks  much  serious  thought,  and  reawakened  all 

their  jealousy  of  the  Onondagas.     A  general  assembly  of 

the  whole  canton  was  held  to  deliberate  on  this  affair,  which 

seemed  of  the  highest  imiDortanco.     The  conclusion  was, 

to  resort  to  every  means  in  order  to  thwart  the  new 

settlement.     In  consequence  of  this  deliberation,  a  party 

of  four  hundred  men  was  raised  and  sent  out,  with  orders 

to  scatter  Dupuys'  troop  or  cut  it  in  pieces.    They  mis8i3d 

it,  however,  and  then,  in  revenge,  plundered  some  isolated 

canoes,  and  even  wounded  some  of  the  occupants.    After 

that,  these  traitors,  pretending  to  be  mistaken,  said  :  "  We 

did  not  know  that  you  were  Frenchmen.    We  took  you 

for  Hurons  or  Algonquins."' 

They  carry      It  was  not  deemed  by  the  French  at  the  moment  politic 

tlio'^furons  to  follow  up  this  iusult,  in  hopes  of  being  soon  in  a  posi- 

("iruulw"  tiou  to  render  their  vengeance  more  certain     ud  decisive, 

if  the  Mohav,  ks  did  not  spontaneously  make  reparation ; 

but  they  soon  after  showed  that  nothing  was  further  fi'om 

their  thoughts.    They  approached  Isle  Orleans,  and  one 

morning,"  before  sunrise,  they  fell  on  a  oand  of  ninety 

Hurons,  of  all  ages  and  sexes,  who  were  at  work  in  a  field, 

killed  six,  bound  all  the  rest,*  and  putting  them  in  their 


Urleaut). 


at  Quebec,  January  20, 107;i.  Jiimes 
Freniiu  was  aiiparontly  recently  ar- 
rived. He  was  in  Onondajija  from 
ICifi  to  1058;  then  at  Miwou, 
Three  Hivers,  and  ("niie  de  la 
Madeleine.  Selected  tor  the  Cayu- 
ga misBiiin  in  l(!(ili,  he  wa.*  mis- 
sionary on  the  Moliiiwk  fnmi  l(i07 
to  1071.  He  died  nt  Quebec,  July  i, 
lOlH.  Two  lay-brotliers.  Brother 
Aiuhrosi'  Broiir  and  Iholher  Jose|iIi 
Bountier.  alw)  w(!nl  :  Helati(Ui,  1(150, 
p.  :!H  ;  Hclation,  1057,  ]).!);  Crcux- 
ius,  Historia  Canadensis,  p.  7!)4. 
'  1   do  not  lind  this  in  the  Hela- 


tion,  1057,  and  from  p.  11  it  Bcems 
that  tlu'y  did  not  take  provisions 
enough  to  last  till  they  got  10  Onon- 
daga. 

'  Relation  de  la  Nouvello  Finiu-i", 
1057,  p.  i).  A  lay-brotlier  is  iho 
only  one  mentioned  as  wounded. 

"May  20,  1050:  Rel..  1057,  p.  5; 
Chauraonot,  Autol)ii)graplne,  p.  TA. 

*  The  Relation  for  1057  does  not 
give  the  total  numhcr  or  that  of 
the  kille<l.  It  says  indefinitely  (p. 
0),  "  Our  loBR  was  seventy-one  jKir- 
sons,  with  a  great  number  of  young 
women." 


HISTORY  OF  NEW  FFJANCE. 


269 


canoes,  pasaoil  hanj,'litily  bcforn  Quohen,  inakinj^  tlicir  1656. 
prisoners  sing  in  front  of  tlu!  fort,'  tin  if  to  dofy  the  gov- 
ernor-goncnil  to  oomo  iuul  rescue  tlieni  from  tlieir  luuids, 
curried  them  off  to  tlieir  village  uiiinn'su(>d,'  l)urned  the 
chief  among  them,  distrihutcul  the  rest  among  the  cantons, 
and  rctain(>d  them  in  a  harsh  captivity.' 

Mr.  do  Lanson  has  heen  severely  censured  for  having 
put  up  with  such  insolence  :  and  his  inaction,  it  must  be 
confessed,  while  they  were  carrying  off,  so  to  say,  from 
between  his  arms,  allies  whose  preservation  e(pially  con- 
cerned the  honor  of  the  French  name  and  that  of  religion, 
casts  a  stain  on  his  memory  which  all  his  virtue  cannot 
efface  ;  but  it  is  because  there  are  misfortunes  which  men 
do  not  forgive,  and  which,  to  their  way  of  thinking,  dis- 
honor a  man  as  much  as  the  greatest  cowardice.  The 
Hurons,  in  consequence  of  a  presumptuous  confidence, 
had  allowed  themselves  to  l)e  surjirised.  To  rescue  them 
from  the  Mohawks  would  have  recpiired  the  calling  out  of 
five  or  six  hundred  men  ;  and  even  if  the  governor-general 
had  had  them  ready,  the  time  necessary  to  arm  and  em- 
bark them  would  have  given  the  savages  a  greater  start 
than  was  needed  to  baffle  any  efforts  of  a  pursuing  party. 

A  young  Huron*  of  this  ill-starred  band,  who  escaped 
from  the  village  where  he  was  a  captive,  subsequently 
gave  most  edifying  details  of  the  piety  and  constancy  of 
these  fervent  neophytes,  many  of  whom  were  treated  with 
unparalleled  inhumanity,  especially  one  of  their  chiefs, 
whose  tortures  lasted  three  days,  during  which  he  never 


"  I'crrot,  Memoirc,  etc.,  p.  106. 
Do  la  Pothcrie  devntcs  only  one 
pnge  (Ilistoirc  de  rAui(Tiqui>  Si>])- 
tentrionalo,  i)p.  125,  I'JO)  to  the 
liistory  of  the  Uiinms. 

^  Rt'lntion  di'  \a  Xouvt'llc  Frnncc, 
1057,  p.  0  ;  Perrot,  iMivurs,  ote.,  d(  s 
Sauvages,  p.  84.  ("olden  0"  hisi  "i»- 
tory  of  the  Five  iVations,  N.  Y.,  1727, 
p.  17)  alludes  to  this  surprise  bh  a 


"  great  hattel,  in  which  the  Quato. 
gliics  (i.e.,  Hurons)  ucrc  entirely 
destroyed." 

^  iM.  Marie  de  I'lnoarnation,  Let- 
tres  Histori(|ues,  pp.  Wi,  '>'■]:].  The 
details  of  tins  suri>rise  were  ascer- 
tained from  Joachim  Ondakout.  wlio 
was  relieved  by  the  colony  going  to 
Onondaga  ;  Helation,  105?,  p.  11. 

*  Joachim  Ondakout. 


270 


HISTORY  OP  NEW  FRANCE. 


tlieil(*iriii'- 

tiiiii  xl'tlio 

Xliiruiis. 


.1 


'"5"-  coascil  jjraisiiig  tlio  Loril,  ultliougli  he  discovereil  from 
the  outset  that  it  was  lii«  perse  vol  auce  iii  this  holy  exer- 
cise which  irritated  his  torturers  tiud  made  them  prolong 
his  iiuirlyrdom.' 
A'lventiires  A  fortnight  after  the  occurrence  of  this  misfortune, 
"minis  iii'u'r  tliirt}-  Ottawas'  landed  at  Quebec,  guided  by  two  French- 
men,' and  loaded  with  fars.  13ut  before  enter'vg  into 
the  results  flowing  from  this  voyage,  it  will  be  well  to 
resume  matters  a  little  farther  back. 

The  Iroquois  had  no  sooner  expelled  the  Hurons  from 
their  country,  tliau  they  undertook  to  inflict  the  same 
treatment  on  all  their  allies.  The  Ottawas  were  of  this 
number  ;  and  as  they  saw  themselves  no  longer  in  a  jjosi- 
tiou  to  resist  the  conquerors  of  one  of  the  bravest  and 
most  powerful  nations  on  the  continent,  they  did  not  deem 
it  proper  to  wait  till  the  Irocpiois  came  to  burn  their  towns 
and  butcher  them  there. 

Some  had  already  retired  to  Saguinaw  Bay,  others  to 
Thunder  Bay  (^both  on  Lake  Huion),  a  number  to  Mani- 
touaUn*  Islantl,  and  that  of  Micliillimakinac ;  but  the 
mass  of  the  nation  remained  on  the  banks  of  the  great 
river'  which  bears  their  name,  till  the  eutii'e  destruction 


'  KclHtion  do  la  Nouvelle  Franco, 
1057,  p.  ;.',-). 

^  Tlie  Fronch  form  is  Outoouais  ; 
but  as  it  will  be  of  constant  occur- 
rence, the  ordinary  Knfflish  form 
will  be  adopted  hiTt-afn^r. 

■'  'I'heso  two  Frenclnnt'n  had  set 
out,  Aug.  0,  lfl')4  (Relation  de  la 
Nouvelle  France,  1050,  p.  !58),  and 
returned  in  the  latter  j)art  of  August, 
1050 :  lb. ;  Pcrrot,  Mobutb,  etc., 
p.  83. 

*  These  were  all  appari'ntlv  old 
resorts.  Thunder  Hay  is  said  t«  bo 
called  from  a  chief  of  that  name. 

'  Charlevoix  hero  follows  out  his 
erroneous  idea  tliat  the  Ottawas 
were  on  the  Ottawa  River.      See 


ante,  p.  8.  The  Ottawas,  a  small 
tril>e  allied  to  the  OutchipoueB,  or 
OjibwHVs,  always  resided  west  of 
tlie  Hurons.  They  are  first  called 
AudatahoUat  (Sairard,  Dictioniiaire, 
r.  Nations  ;  Histoiro  du  Canada,  p. 
200);  Ondatauauiit  (Hre8«ini,  p.  0)  ; 
OndatAouatouat  (Relation,  1054,  p. 
0) — a  Huron  term,  jierhaps  from  on- 
data,  wood,  and  e<iuivalent  to  Gens 
dee  Bois.  Uu  ("reus,  in  his  map, 
places  ilicm  on  Manitouline  Island, 
a.s  does  Champlain  (map,  p.  7), 
Brtssani  (Urovo  Relatione,  p.  0), 
and  the  Relation  de  la  Nouvelle 
France,  1071,  p.  'M.  The  Hurons, 
at  a  later  date,  gave  this  name  to 
the  Illinois :  Potier  (MS). 


HISTORY  OF  NEW  FRANCE. 


271 


from 
exer- 

olong 

riune, 
eucL- 
;  iuto 
eU  to 

i  from 
same 
>f  this 
,  posi- 
3t  and 
deem 
towua 

ors  to 
Maui- 
it  tlio 
great 
uction 


a  small 
out's,  or 
west  of 
t  called 
nnnaire, 
aada,  p. 

i,  P-6); 
1654,  p. 
rom  on- 
to Gens 
is  map, 
I  Island, 
p.  7), 
,  1'-  6). 
v'ouveUe 
llurons, 
name  to 


of  tlio  Hmou  towns.    Then  tlioy  joined  tho  Tionnontatcz     1656. 
Hurons,'  with  whom  they  penetrated  far  iuto  the  soutliern  ^— '^'^"^ 
regions.     Tliey  first  fornied  an  alliance  with  the   Sioux,  Tho  ott«- 
tlu'n  fell  out  with  tlu-ni,   and,  to  their  cost,   trained   to 
war  that  nation,  till  then  by  no  means  brave,  and  little 
known  east  of  the  ^Mississippi.     They  then  broke  up  into 
several  bauds,  and  the  wretchi^d  state  to  which  they  were 
reduced   spread   everywhere   tho   terror   of  the  Irotjuois 
name." 

At  last,  in  consequence  of  their  wanderings  in  those 
vast  countries,  and  their  division  into  several  bands, 
some  of  which  have  never  since  apjjearcd,  both  were  bo 


'  Some  of  till!  Hurons  fled  to  Mani- 
toulinu  (Ik'lation,  KWl,  p.  '));  the 
Tiouontntcs  to  Micliillimakiuac 
Islniid  (liclation,  1(571,  p.  87).  In 
IG*)*  tiiry  were  at  'I'luoiitoiai — V  llu! 
Nixjuet  Islands — (Urlation,  1(17^,  p. 
85  ;  I'errot,  ji.  «()),  and  tlie  next 
year  were  about  to  retreat  iuto  Lake 
SuixTior,  to  Aotonatenilii'  (Hugue- 
neau,  Journal,  July,  1(>5!5),  near 
the  great  lake  whicli  wo  call  "  of 
the  I'uants"  ^lielatlou,  1054,  p.  'J) — 
probably  the  Puinte  du  St.  Esiirit, 
Chngoiinrgon  (Ucl.,  I<i07,  p.!) ;  W>-i, 
p.  35).  In  1U58  tliey  were  unioiin-  the 
PottawutaudeK(Uilati()n.  KiSs,  p. ^1 1, 
anil  in  1()5!)  they  \ver<!  on  the  Mib- 
eisi'ippi  (Kehition,  KUlO,  p.  12  ;  I'er- 
rot, !>.  bli).  Here  tlicy  came  into 
couliict  with  tho  Sioux,  anil  liilling 
out  with  them,  ascemled  Black 
Kiver  (I'errot,  p.  M7),  olthough  tho 
Ottawas,  who  had  till  then  kept 
them  company,  marched  on  to  Cha- 
goiraikon  (I'errot,  [>.  87).  Here  Me- 
nard evidently  found  the  Ottawas, 
and  was  going  from  their  village  to 
that  of  the  llurons  on  Ulack  River 
when  he  lost  his  life  (Relation,  10(i;j, 
p.  21  ;  I'errot,  p.  91)  A  rcmuunt  of 
the  Neuters  was  aiiparently  blended 
with  these  Tionontates.    After  the 


overthrow  of  the  llurons  and  Tio- 
nontates, six  hundred  Irixiuois,  in 
11)50,  attacked  the  .Neuters,  but  were 
routed  liy  Tahnntaeural,  who  killed 
two  hiiiiilreil  (K'iii;'iieiieuii,  Journal, 
April,  11)51).  Anotlier  iKiqiiois  iirniy, 
of  twelve  Imndreil,  invmieil  tlie  Neu- 
ter territDry  the  next  winter  (ib.) 
Thete  took  Te  Otondiution,  and  des- 
olated the  Neuter  country  (ib.,  Sept., 
1051);  but  the  Neuters  formed  uu 
idliance  with  the  .\niliistes,  and 
gained  such  ndvantnges  that  the 
Seneca  women  ami  childri'n  fled 
from  tlieir  towns  lil).,  .April  111,  l(!5'i). 
Till!  last  Neuter  town  was  oiijHjsite 
Detroit  (I'errot).  After  this  a  rem- 
nant of  eight  hundretl  fled  to  Skan- 
ehioe,  and  in  tlie  fall  of  1(15;!  were 
preparing  to  join  the  Tionontates  at 
Aotonatenilie,  three  leagues  beyond 
the  Rapid  Skia.o  or  Sault  St.  Mary, 
which  was  a  general  resort  of  Otta- 
was, I'hippeways,  Nipitisings  (Jour., 
July,  l(i5l!).  Here  we  h)se  trace, 
and  cannot  tell  whether  they  actu- 
ally united  with  the  llurons  or  sub- 
mitted to  the  Iroipiois.  Most  i)roI>- 
ably  they  did  iMjth,  as,  some  years 
later,  they  formed  a  considerable 
part  of  the  Senecas. 
'  Perrot,  Memoire,  pp.  80,  87. 


272 


HlPTOKi!'  OP  NEW  FRANCE. 


1656. 


Tlio  Ottn- 
waa. 


roilucpcl  in  imiubcrs,  tlmt  it  mny  bo  said  that  not  a  tw»^n- 
ticth  part  n  )w  exists.'  It  was  oi"'  r,f  lu«»«.i  detached 
bamlrt  of  the  Oii.-.^viv  nation,  wli',  luul  been  joined  l)y  somo 
Hnrons,  that  tlio  two  Fieneliinen  just  mentioned  had 
brought  from  tlio  shcu'cs  of  lialce  Mieliigan  to  Quebec, 
wliens  their  weU'ome  was  the  more  cordial  from  the  praiso 
b(  stowed  by  their  guides  on  the  treatment  which  tliey 
had  received.  Intercourse  witli  tlie  HurouH  had  some- 
what improved  the  manners  of  that  people,  one  of  tho 
rudest  in  Canada,  and  had  even  given  them  some  slight 
tincture  of  Christianity.' 

The  two  Fri'nchmen,  who  were  worthy  men,  had  bap- 
tized some  of  their  children  at  the  point  of  death,'  and 
these  little  innocents  went  to  take  possession  of  heaven  in 
the  name  of  their  nation  ;  but  notwithstanding  these  fair 
hopes,  tho  assiduous  care  of  the  missionaries  never 
could  induce  the  Ottawas  to  relish  the  things  that  are 
of  God.  There  are  few  nations  on  the  whole  continent 
where  more  etlbrt  lias  been  made  to  produce  Christians 
and  more  unsuccessfully ;'  but  thevo  was  then  no  reason 
to  judge  so,  and  the  peltries,  with  Avhich  those  who  had 
just  arrived  at  Quebec  were  loaded,  nuide  Mr.  de  Lauson 
believe  it  his  duty  not  to  neglect  this  occasion  of  extend- 
ing the  trade  of  the  colony. 

Thirty  young  men  ottered  to  accompany  the  Ottawas 
on  their  return  ;'  and  Father  le  Quien,'  who  governed  the 
mission  during  the  absence  of  Father  le  Mercicr,  allowed 
himself  to  be  persuaded  to  give  them  Fathers  Dreuillettes 
and  Garreau,  with  Louis  le  Boesme,  a  lay-brother,  who 


'  Neither  the  Relations  nor  Per- 
rot  convey  tliis  idea 

^  Kelation  de  la  Nouvelle  France, 
1G50.  p.  39. 

»Ib. 

*  The  present  missionaries  have  at 
last  succeeded. 

'  Relation  .le  la  Nouvelle  France, 
1656,  p.  40. 


'  His  name  was  John  Dequcn,  aa 
his  own  aiitogrnph  attests.  In  tho 
Relation  de  la  Nouvelle  France  for 
1056,  written  l)y  him,  it  is  printed 
De  Qven.  He  came  to  Canada  in 
10^3,  and  labored  chiefly  at  Qiiehcic. 
Ho  was  Superior  from  lOoO  to  l(i5'.), 
and  died  at  Quebec  Oct.  8,  1650,  serv- 
ing the  sick  in  time  of  ixistilence. 


mSTOnV  OF  NRW   FRANTR. 


27.1 


Mixnion- 

nr.i .-  iiri' 

(.'ivcii  to 

MMIir  of 

Uii'iii. 


liad  1)0011  I)ron<,'lit  up  h\  Fiitlicr  (lt>  Brclxnif  in  tlit^  Huion  i>'>-/>. 
missioiiH.  This  ('oiivoy  stiirtcd  from  (^)u{'lu'('  ii  littli'  In'foio  "^  ."■ 
inid-Augnst,  iiiul  the  next  day,  us  it  approiu-lu'd  Tlirro 
llivci's,  it  was  warned  by  a  eauoe,  dispatelieil  l>y  the 
governor  of  tliat  town,  tliat  thoro  was  n  party  of  :\r()l!a\vks 
ill  the  neij^diborhood.  Thin  jiarty  had  alrcidy  iliscennd 
the  Ottawas,  and  laid  an  andaiseade  for  thciii  ;  Ijiit  they 
did  not  fall  into  it,  and  arrived  safely  at  Tliree  Kiveis.' 

The  French  who  aceompanied  tlioiii  then  relhcted  that 
these  Indians  were  very  ill  eipiipped,  and  that  they  eould 
not  cscapt!  an  eneountur  witli  a  foe  whoso  forees  nii;^]it 
increase  at  any  moment.  They  accordini^ly  resolved  (o 
proceed  no  further;  and  there  were  only  three  who  were 
unwilling  to  abandon  the  Jesuits."  The  Ottawas  were  no 
sooner  embarked  than  tlu>y  perceived  that  the  Mohawks 
■were  at  their  heels  ;  yet  this  did  not  induce  them  to  use 
greater  luvcaution  as  they  advaneetl.  They  had  i)ur- 
cliased  fire-arms,  the  use  of  which  was  new  to  them.  They 
delighted  to  try  them,  and  so  kei)t  the  IMohawks  in- 
formed of  their  route.  Their  •i)ursuers  thus  had  time  and 
means  to  choose  a  suitable  place  to  surprise  them  or 
attack  them  advantageously." 

Such  an  opportunity  presented  itself  on  the  banks  of   tiuv  nro 
the  Lake  of  the  Two  :\rouiitains,  which  is  the  discharge  of  "'Xi^Mo-''^ 
the  Great   Eiver  into  th((  river  St.  Lawrence,  above  the     '"'"''"• 
island  of  Montreal.     Hi-re  they  intrenched  themselves  on 
a  little  hill,  which  gave  tliem  a  lookout  for  a  great  dis- 
tance, and  they  posted  a  c(Misideralile  immb(>r  of  men  with 
guns  in  the  bushes,  on  an  advanced  point  close  to  which 
the  Ottawas  had  to  pass.     Si-X  canoes,  containing  Hurons 
exclusively,  with  Futlu  r  Garveau,  were  at  tlie  head  of  this 
couvoj',  and,  when  they  came  within  n  aeJi.  the  Mohawks 
poured  a  volley  on  them,'  killing  and  wounding  a  trreat 


'  Relation  de  In  N.  K,  1  (!.•)<!.  |,.  .|o.  ■<  Relation  do  la  Xouvfllc  France, 

'  Relatiiin  do  lii  Nouvc'.li'  Fniiico,  1(1.".(;,  ji. -10:  Cr  uxius,  llistoriu  (.'ana- 

fiSd,  ]i.  40       CliarU'Voix    dors  not  drnsis,  p.  TIMI. 

follow  the  aulhority  i)rocisoly.  J  Rotation  d.-  la  .N'.  F.,  l(i.")li,  p.  41. 
Vol.  II.— 18 


274 


HISTORY  OP  NEW  FHANCB. 


1656. 


Fntlior  (!iir- 
roan  iiKir- 

tally 
wouudcd. 


many.  Tlioy  tlion  rusliod  on,  tomahawk  in  hand,  antl 
niado  prisoners  of  all  who  had  not  periHlicd  at  tho  first 
volley.  Among  those;  captives  was  tho  missionary,  whoso 
spine  was  broken  by  a  muskot-ball.' 

At  tho  first  sound  of  tho  attack  tho  Ottawaa  pliod  their 
paddles  to  relievo  or  avenge  their  comrades.  On  reach- 
ing tho  point  where  the  Huion  canocis  had  remained  with 
the  corpses  of  tho  slain,  they  landed  without  opposition, 
and  in  the  ardor  which  possessed  them  liad  well-nigh 
carried  all  the  Mohawk  defences  ;  but  after  a  pretty  stub- 
born fight,  in  which  nuu-h  blood  was  shed  on  either  side, 
the  assailants  were  obligeul  to  draw  off'.  Yet  they  did  not 
retire  far,  but  intrenched  on  their  side,  firmly  resolved,  to 
all  ai^pearance,  not  to  leave  tho  spot  till  they  had  satis- 
faction of  the  Iroquois ;  but  tho  next  night  they  secretly 
d(>camped,  and  in  tho  morning  nothing  was  found  in  their 
intreucluuent  but  tho  two  Jesuits,  with  tho  three  French- 
men who  accompanied  them.' 

As  soon  as  tho  chief  of  tho  Mohawk  party  was  informed 
of  it,  3\o  went  to  visit  tho  two  religious.  This  chief  was 
the  Flemish  Bastard,  already  mentioned.  His  compliment 
rolled  entirely  on  the  sorrow  which  he  declared  lie  felt  for 
the  wound  of  Father  Garrcau,  and  ho  protested  that  the 
missionary  had  not  been  recognized  till  after  tho  first 
charge,  in  which  ho  had  been  wounded.  Nothing  was  less 
fiiuccre  than  this  excuse  ;  for  the  missionary  had  no  sooner 
fallen  into  the  hands  of  the  Mohawks  than  they  stripped 
him  naked,  in  spite  of  his  wound,  and  from  that  time  they 
had  given  him  neither  food  nor  drink,  nor  oven  thought  of 
dressing  his  wound."    Tho  next  day,'  the  2d  of  Septem- 


'  Relation,  165(5,  p.  41  ;  Crouxiiis, 
Hist.  Can.,  p.  700  ;  Itelniont,  Hist,  du 
Canada,  p.  t) ;  I'orrot,  Mumoire,  etc., 
p.  84  ;  Pijurt,  Relation  (MS.)  de  la 
Mort  du  P.  Onrrcau.  Acciirding  to 
Porrot,  Father  Oarrcau  was  idiot  by 
a  Freuclimiin  who  had  joined  tho 
Iroquois,  but  whom  the  Mohawlij 


gave  up  to  the  French  to  bo  shot. 

"  Druillettes  and  the  lay-brotlicr 
Oarreau  were  nlrc^ady  in  tho  hands 
of  tho  Mohawks :  Relation  do  la 
NouvelU'  France,  le.jO,  p.  41. 

'  Relation  de  la  Nouvelle  Franco, 
IGnO,  p.  43. 

*  Hewasshoton  Wednesday,  Anpf. 


insi'ouY  OK  NKW  rii.wrr:. 


_2Jf 


1656. 


reau, 


ber,  he  was  tukon  to  Moutn'iil  by  unuw  Molmwks,  who, 

with   a  wry  ill  graco,  iiresoiitcd  two  beltH— ono  to  Hh(jw 

their  regivt  for  having  firod  upon  him,  without  knowing    vmh  of 

him:    the  other  to  wipe  away  the   tears  of  his  fellow- *■""'" *^"^ 

religious.' 

Father  Chiudo  Pijart,  who  was  fortunately  at  Montreal, 
received  the  Avounded  priest,  who  was  now  beyond  all 
remedy,  and  who  expired  on  the  4th,'  in  his  arms,  implor- 
ing of  the  Almighty  the  conversion  of  his  murderers.  Fa- 
ther Leonard  Garreau  was  a  native  of  Linjoges,'  and  New 
France  lost  in  him  an  excellent  laborer.  After  his  death, 
Father  Dreuillettes,  with  their  companion,  turned  back 
towards  Quebec,  whonco  the  former  soon  returned  to  the 
Abenaquis.* 

There  was  no  longer  any  groixnd  for  doubting  the  dis- 
satisfaction with  which  the  Mohawk  canton  regarded  the 
good  understanding  between  the  Upper  Iroquois  and  the 
French,  or  that  it  sought  all  means  of  breaking  it  off. 
Tlie  French,  on  their  side,  flattered  themselves  that,  if  the 
four  upper  cantons  remained  firm  in  their  alliance,  the 
Mohawks  would  be  forced,  sooner  or  later,  to  follow  their 
example,  or  at  least  remain  quiet,  for  fear  of  being  over- 
whelmed by  them ;  and  gi-eat  hopes  were  based  on  the 
settlement  aboaf  to  be  made  at  Onondaga.  Mr.  Dupuys, 
after  a  short  stay  at  Three  Rivers  and  Montreal,  had  left 
the  last-named  island  on  the  8th  of  June,  and  the  same 


30,  and  it  was  not  till  Saturday  that 
tlu'j-  carried  liim  to  Montreal :  Kc- 
Intion  do  la  Nouvello  France,  1656, 
p.  43 ;  Creuxiiis,  llistoria  Canadensis, 
p.  700. 

'  Relation  de  la  NouvoUo  France 
1656,  p.  42. 

'  Ho  died  on  the  2d  :  Relation  do 
la  Nouv.  France,  1656,  p.  42  ;  ("reux- 
iu8,  Uistorin  Canadensis,  p.  790  ;  PI- 
jart,  Relation  (MS.) 

'  Leonard  Garreau  was  born  at 
St.  Aredius  de  Perche,  Oct.  11, 1609. 


His  father  had  fought  gallantly  un- 
dor  Henry  IV.,  and  wiis  renowned 
for  his  extensive  and  disoriniinuting 
cliarities.  He  entered  the  Society 
of  Jesus,  Sejit.  37,  1638.  He  came 
to  Canada  in  August,  164;!,  and  had 
been  constantly  and  actively  em- 
l)loyed  in  the  Huron  and  .Algonquin 
missions.  DuCroux  (in  his  History, 
pp.  790-810)  writes  somewhat  at 
length. 

*  I  find  no  authority  for  tlie  last 
statement,  and  doubt  it. 


.  } 


270 


mSTOHY  OF  NKW   rilANC'E. 


1656.     (l(iy  lui  fell  iiiiuii  II  Moliiiwk  |)aitv,  whom  he  itliindorcil,  in 
^'"'"v—-'  irtiiliiitioii  for  tlici  fiiiKM'H  wliidi  tlio8«)  ImliuiiH  hiul  rubbud 

U  Hhoit  t'iUH'  licfol*!.' 

Ttio  Kroiich      On  tlio  '29tli,  about  nino  in  tlio  (evening,  tlu;  voicu  of  u 

rcaoli  Oil.  .  I  I'll  >iM  I  1. 

onanga.  i'>i'i>  ^K  p'^'n  ^vuH  iKMinl  111  tlii)  c'unii>,  lilt'  coniiiiuucliT  lit 
unc(t  oi'ilcnd  the  dntiiiH  to  Ix'iit,  and  an  Indian  wuh  hvhx 
approaching',  though  witii  great  diltifult}.  it  was  tho 
young  Huron  who  had  cMfaped,  aH  aln-ady  nlati'd,  aftt-r 
tho  incursion  into  Islo  Orli'aiiH.  Tho  skin  of  his  body  waH 
half  roasted,  and  for  seventeen  days  that  ho  had  been 
wandering  ho  had  tasted  no  food  but  berries.  Tiie  Onon- 
dagas  >vlio  accoini)anied  tho  I'rencii  niadt*  him  a  drink 
which  soon  restored  his  stomach.  Footl  was  then  given, 
and  tlio  jioor  cnuituro  sent  to  Quol)ce.' 

Their  r«-        Tiio  rest  of  their  voyage  was  prosperous,  except  that 

ccpton,  ti,py  H^|J■^,l.(,J  consideral)ly  from  want  of  |)rovisions,  their 
Hupply  not  having  been  j)roperly  managed.  They  had 
reckoned,  as  usual,  on  fishing  and  hunting.  Both  thosu 
resources  failed,  and  tho  French,  who  wore  not  accus- 
tomed to  fast  like  the  Indians,  would  almost  all  have  died 
of  starvation,  had  not  the  (Jnomlaga  sachems  sent  out 
canoes,  loaded  with  provisions,  to  meet  them.  By  this 
means  they  learned,  moreover,  that  a  largo  number  of  Iro- 
quois, of  all  tho  cantons,  and  many  other  Indians,  awaited 
them  on  tho  banks  of  Lake  Gannentaha;'  and  Mr.  l)u- 
puys,  on  his  side,  prepared  to  make  Lis  entrance  into  the 
country. 

Beforo  reaching  tho  spot  where  tho  Indians  had  halted, 

July  11.  ho  landed  five  small  pieces  of  cannon,  and  fired  u 
volley.  He  then  re-embarked,  and  sailing  on  in  tine 
order,*  he  entered  tho  lake,  whore,  in  less  than  fifteen 
minutes,  he  fired  two  general  volleys  of  musketry.     To 

'  Uuliition  do  la  Nouvelle  Franco,  taha  nionnH  Material  for  the  Council 

1657.  p.  10.  Fire.    :\Iorgan. 

'  Helation  tie  la  Nouvelle  France,  Their  banner  was  of  white  silk, 

1057,  p.  11.  ■with  the  monogriun  of  Jesus  em- 

•Now  Lake  Onondaga.    Qannen-  broidered:  Relation,  1657,  p.  10. 


nisTony  of  nrw  raANCE. 


177 


jiiilg*}  by  appoiuaiK'CH,  ho  wiiw  roccivcd  in  t\w  luont  ro-      1656. 
Hpi'ctful  aiitl  I'onlial   iimiuior  in  llio  world.     HiinmKUca,  '-^y '*■' 
l)/>ii<iiH'ls,  clmiifM,  (iaiicoH-  iiotliiiig  was  KpimMJ.     Tlit«  next  Nt  Mi.ry'» 
(lav,  July  12,  the  T.s  D.uiii  wan  rhai.tcd  at  tlic  .low  of  a  '"  ui'T"' 
Holunin  Mahh  ;  tlicu  thu  hhcIu'Ius  oft'oii'd  tho  priHcntH  uhu- 
nlly  iiiadu  iu  troaticH  of  ulliaiico  ;  and  on  tlui  Kith  .;U  tho 
rrricli  received  coniniiiiiion  with  a  ])iety  which  was  au 
exceUent  example,  and   produced  a  great  impreMMion  ou 
tho  niindH  of  tho  ludianH.     Tho  next  day  they  began  to 
prepare  their  (piarterH,  and  Father  lo  Mercier  proceedod 
to  visit  th(>  town  of  Onond.iga,  where  ho  was  recoivod  with 
great  ceronioiiy.' 

On  t!ie  'i'lth  a  general  council  was  held,  and  Father  C'iiau- 
mouot  th<!ro  spoko  of  the  Christian  religion  with  the  same 
elo(pu>nco  and  tho  sanio  HuceesH  as  he  had  done  on  hia 
arrival  in  the  canton.'  The  same  day,  deputies  came  from 
the  canton  of  Cayuga  to  solicit  a  missionary,  and  Father 
MoHuard  was  granted  to  them."  All  was  now  apparently 
ill  mov((ment,  in  tho  canton  of  Ont)ndaga,  to  enibraco 
Christianity,  and  it  became  necessary  to  increase  by  more 
than  one-half  tiie  chapel,  no  longer  abh»  to  hold  all  who 
Bought  instruction  hi  our  mysteries.  In  the  month  of 
August  there  were  exeoHsivo  heats,  which  caused  great 
maladies,  but,  by  tho  good  caro  of  the  Indians,  all  tho 
sick  .soon  recovered.* 

This  last  mark  of  affection  on  the  part  of  this  pooplo 
convinced  the  most  incredulous  that  tho  Onondagns  could 
be  depended  upon  iu  future ;  yet  the  wisest  thought 
precautious  necessary,  at  least  against  fickleness,  and  it 
proved  fortunate  that  their  advice  was  followed  To  hold 
this  canton  in  check,  and  by  its  means  the  rf  r>i,  required 
only  tl  i  erection  of  a  fort.     But  all  the  resources  of  Can- 


'  Relation  do  la  Nouvollo  Fraiici!,  •'  Relation  de  la  Nouvellu  Franco, 

1C57,  p.  14.    It  is  represcnteil  uh  fivo  10.57,  )>.  10. 

leagucu  from  St.  Mary's.     Lo  Mtr-  '  lb.  (p.  19)  dots  not  state  I  lie  day. 

cicr  was  called,  by  the  Ououdagas,  ■*  Kelulion  do  la  Nou voile  France, 

AchieDdaao.  1057,  p.  IU. 


278 


HI8TOUY   OF  Ni;\V    FUANi  K. 


i6;6.     ndn  would  not  liiivo  hiiHicimI  to  iiit>rt  hiicIi  an  oxpcnsn,  niul 

'"~  T  ~^  '  iiiiiont;  111"  iiHMncintcH  in  tlir  New  I'limcf  Cnnipiny  \w  ono 

hml  K'HH  credit,  or  wii.s  Ii'mm  Imiirkcntd  to,  llmu  thoHo  who 

WL'i'o  host  infornu'd  aH  to  tho  country. 

Bciincdfiii*      Wliili)   tln'Mi'    thing's   wiTo   piiHsinj,'   at    Onondaga,   tlio 

'"'/l*,*'|J"i""' llumns  on   Islf  Orleans,  no  longer  deeming  themselves 

jMn'iIie     •*'''-''"^^'.  '""k  refuge  in  (Quebec  ;  atid  in  a  moment  of  .-esent- 

M..iiuwi<n,  „„,i,t,  nt  having  been  ahandoiied  hy  tho  French,  thoy  Heut 

•uJ  rollout.  "  •'  .  . 

Hccrttly  to  itropost)  to  tlic  Mohawks  t(j  receive  them  into 
their  canton,  ho  aH  to  form  only  one  peo]iU'  with  them.' 

They  had  no  sooner  taken  this  step  than  they  rejK'nted ; 
but  tho  Mohawks  took  them  at  their  word,  and  seeing 
that  thoy  en(U'avoroil  to  withdraw  their  proposition,  re- 
sorted to  measures  to  compel  tliem  to  adhere  to  it.  Thoy 
began  by  letting  loose  u[)on  them  several  parties,  who 
butchered  or  carried  oil"  all  who  went  out  apart  in  tho 
fields  ;  and  when  they  supposed  that  thesi!  hostilitit's  had 
rendered  tlu'm  more  tractable,  they  sent  thirty  deputies 
to  Quebec  to  bring  them  in.' 
Hftughti-  Nothing  could  exceed  tlu^  haughtiness  with  which  these 
"Moiiiiwk"  t'livoys  discharged  their  commission.  They  liist  applied 
onvoy*.  j„  T^jj.  jj,  Lau.son,  and  asked  to  be  heard  in  a  general 
assembly  of  the  Hurons  and  French  ;  and  the  g(Jvernor- 
general  having  const'nted,  the  chief  of  the  deputation  liist 
aildressed  the  Hurons,  saying  :  "  IJrother,  it  i.y  now  some 
time'  since  you  stretched  out  your  hands  to  beg  me  to 
lead  you  to  my  couutry  ;  but  as  often  as  I  get  ready  to  do 
so  you  draw  back,  and  it  is  to  punish  you  for  your  incon- 
stancy that  I  have  struck  you  with  my  hatchet.  Believe 
mo.  Give  me  no  more  ground  to  treat  you  thus.  Arise 
and  follow  me."  With  these  words,  ho  presented  two 
belts — one,  he  said,  to  help  the  Hiu'ons  to  rise  ;  the  other 


'  Rclntion  do  la  Nouvellu  France,  who  encamped  three  or  four  days' 

1657,  p.  1!).  iiiurcli  from  v^ucbec,  nnd  went  thirty 

'  Tlio  Relation  (10,57,  p.  20)  does  to  the  Hurons  to  summon  them  to 

not  ni<>ntion  hoHtiliiics.     It  uuys  a  go. 

party    of   one    hundred   was  sent,  '  Four  years. 


HIHTOUY  OF  NEW    FHANc  K. 


Vt9 


to  HMMuro  tliciii  flmt  lioncffni-wiiid  tlir  >fuImwkH  would  live      Kj^fi. 
^\H\\  tlifiii  iiM  with  llii'ir  lnitliii'ii.' 

lit'  tlicii  tiniiiil  (dwiuiIh  tlu'  i,'( ml,  aii.l  Hpok.)  to  liiiii 

ill  tlifMf  words:  "  Oimntliio,  lift  up  voiir  iinns  ai'il  h't 
your  I'liilihvn  i^o,  wiioin  you  liold  tliiH|M'd  to  your  hoHoni ; 
for,  should  th.  y  coinniit  any  folly,  it  is  t(,  l)o  tmrnl,  that 
whih;  iiitoiidiii;^  to  chaHtisf  thcni,  uiy  blows  may  K-ach 
you.  This  is  to  opfu  your  anus."  And  lif  pr«stnt<'d  a 
bolt.  "  1  know,'  ho  continuod,  "  that  tlu'  Hiuoii  lovt  s  tln> 
pruycr;  that  ho  urknowlrdjj;(s  and  a(h)ros  tl-.o  .Vutlur  of 
till  thinf,'s  ;  that  in  all  his  lU'C'snitios  ho  h.is  r«'courHo  to 
Him.  1  wish  to  do  tlio  Hamo.  Consent  Hiat  Ondtssou 
(Fatlior  lo  Moyuc)  -  who  has  loft  mo,  1  know  not  why  — 
return  with  the  Hurou  to  iiistruct  mo  ;  and  as  I  havo  not 
canooH  (uiough  to  tako  so  many,  do  mo  the  favor  to  lond 
mo  yours."  Ho  supported  thoso  two  requosts  with  two 
othor  holts,  and  rotirod.' 

The  rendor  will  douhth'ss  havo  much  diniculty  in  und( 


lor- 


Kinhnrrniw- 

Btanding  what  oMigo^'  Mr.  do  LaUHcm'  to  sufFor  sm-h  inso-  "";',"  "'' "'« 
lonco  at  a  tiuio  wluai  no  had  no  othor  onomv  on  his  hands 
cscoi)!  tho  singlo  canton  of  tho  Mohawks.  Povlmps  lio 
wished  to  soo,  before  coming  to  a  rupture  with  them,  in 
what  way  uftairs  would  turn  at  Onondaga.  13ut  the  .'act 
is  that  ho  nnmifostod  to  tho  Mohawks  no  roscntmcnt  at 
tho  haughty  discourse  of  their  orator.  This  tho  Hurona 
marked  well,  and  they  were  greatly  embarrassed.  Tast 
experience  and  tho  conduct  of  the  Iroquois  made  t'acra 


'  Hclutiim  Je  la  NouvtUo  Fraure, 
1657.  p.  20. 

•lb. 

•  T lio  acting  governor  at  this  tlmo 
was  Mr.  Charles  dc  LauHon  do  Ciiar- 
ny,  null  of  the  fjovcmor.  Hn  cniiio 
to  (,'aiia(hi,  Jiinn  'i'4,  1(1.53.  In  Au- 
gust, lli.W,  he  married  Mary  I/niisa 
Giffurd,  who  died  in  l(l.")t(.  Alter 
his  father's  departure,  in  the  suni- 
raer  of  10.10,  hu  odminintercd  tho 
government  till  Sept.  18, 1057,  when 


ho  went  to  France,  and  having  K'on 
ordained,  rei;.rn'd  in  lO.")'.)  with 
illHhop  Laval.  In  1073  he  returned 
with  IiIh  daughter  to  I'rance  .  U -l- 
niont,  Histoire  dii  Car.ada,  \k  0  ;  .Vo- 
nioireM  de  la  Soo.  Hist,  de  Montrenl, 
p.  Wl.  Juchereau  (UiHtoiro  do  I'Ko- 
tel  Dieu,  p.  110)  is  imIh  \ken  in  bui>- 
ixwing  that  .lolin  de  !,au!<on,  the 
sonedclial,  wiiH  left  aB  governor.  Seo 
Faillon,  llistoiru  da  L  Colonio  Fraa- 
i;ni8«>,.  ii.,  p.  2.50. 


280 


IIISTOUY  OF  NEW  FHANCS. 


1656. 


I  r. 


The  wliolo 
Ueiir  trib« 
gives  itself 
to  the  Xlo- 
hawkn. 


fear  the  worst,  and  tlioir  destruction  sccniod  certain,  take 
•which  oonrse  they  would.  In  this  perph-xity  they  divid:jd. 
Some  declared  that  they  would  not  leave  the  French  ; 
others  resolved  to  give  themselves  to  the  Onoudagas,  with 
whom  they  had  already  entered  into  engagements.  Only 
the  Bear  family  kept  its  word  given  to  the  ^lohawks.' 

These  resolutions  taken,  the  council  reassembled  ;  and 
although  the  governor-general  had  take:  .  apparently,  no 
measures  to  have  his  rank  rcsjiected,  he  chose  to  be  pres- 
ent. Father  le  Moyue,  who  acted  as  his  interpreter, 
spoke  first,  and  said  :  "  Ouonthio  loves  the  Hurons.  They 
are  his  children  ;  but  he  does  not  keep  them  in  leading- 
strings.  They  are  old  enough  to  act  for  themselves.  He 
opens  his  arms  and  leaves  them  at  libei'ty  to  go  whither 
they  will.  For  my  part,  I  will  follow  them  wherever  they 
go.  If  they  go  to  you,  Mohawk,  I  will  instruct  you  also 
in  what  manner  it  is  necessary  to  pray  and  adore  the 
Maker  of  all  things  ;  but  I  dare  not  hope  that  you  will 
listen  to  me.  I  know  you,  and  know  how  far  your  indo- 
cility  goes  ;  but  I  will  console  myself  with  the  Hurons. 
A.8  to  the  canoes  you  ask,  you  see  well  enough  that  we 
have  scarcely  what  we  need.  If  you  have  not  enough, 
make  some."' 

The  chief  of  the  Bear  family  of  the  Hurons'  then  spoke. 
"  Brothers,"  said  he,  "  I  am  yours.  I  throw  mj-sclf  with 
closed  eyes  into  your  canoes,  pi-epareel  for  every  thing,  even 
to  die.  But  I  wish  to  go  at  first  alone,  with  my  own  cabin.* 
I  will  not  permit  othero  to  embark  with  me.  If  hereafter 
the  rest  of  my  nation  wishes  to  come  and  join  me,  I  will 
not  oppose  it ;  but  I  am  glad  to  be  able  to  let  them  see 


'  The  Attignenonhac,  or  Cord  fam- 
ily, resolved  to  stay  ;  the  Arendar- 
rhonoii,  or  K(x"k,  to  go  to  Ononda^ 
and  tlie  Attignaoiiautan,  or  Bear,  to 
join  the  Mohawks  :  Holation  do  la 
Nouvelle  France,  1057,  p.  30.  See 
ante,  p.  71,  n. 

'  Relation  de  la  Nouvelle  France, 


1()57,  p.  21.  Le  ^foyne's  remarks 
closed,  not  opened,  the  conference. 

'  At«ena  or  le  Plat. 

■*  The  word  cubiii  is  used  to  mean 
family. — Chorh  rotJ'.  The  expression 
is  not,  however,  given  in  tlio  re- 
marks of  the  Bear-Chiff  in  the  Re- 
lation, 1(J57,  p.  21. 


HISTOUY  OF  NEW  FRANCE. 


281 


first  ill  what  manner  you  tniat  me."  He  then  throw  down 
throe  belts,  wliich  liail  no  object  exceijt  to  induce  the  Mo- 
hawks to  act  Iiouorably  with  him,  and  omit  nothing  to 
make  him  forget  what  a  sacrifice  ho  made  for  his  sake, 
and  also  to  ease  his  journey.  The  deputies  accepted  tho 
belts,  and  seemed  very  well  satisfied.  They  then  set  to 
work  to  make  canoes,  and  when  tlu-y  were  comiilcted, 
they  embarked,  with  the  Hurons  and  Father  le  Moyiie.' 

A  few  days  after  their  departure,  deputies  from  Onon- 
daga reaclu>d  Quebec,  to  require  the  Hurons  who  had 
oftered  themselves  to  their  canton  to  keep  their  word. 
They  were  much  shocked  to  Icaru  that  tho  Bear  fatuily 
had  followed  tho  Mohawks.  Tho  Hurons  made  a  poor 
excuse,  and  were  the  more  embarrassed,  as  the  French 
would  not  embroil  themselves  with  that  canton,  which 
took  a  very  high  tone.  At  last,  the  governor-general  told 
the  deputies,  though  in  very  guarded  terms,  that  they 
were  wanting  in  respect  to  their  Father  ;  that  a  part  of 
the  Hurons  were  disposed  to  follow  them,  but  that  their 
wives  and  children  were  afraid  of  their  weapons,  and  that 
it  was  not  in  the  guise  of  warriors  that  tlu'\  should  come 
to  eeek  friends  and  brethren  ;  that  if  they  wished  to  do 
things  regularly,  they  should  return  home ;  that  the 
Hurons  would  keep  their  word  with  them  Avhon  they  were 
able  to  regard  them  no  longer  as  enemies  ;  and  to  show 
them  that  what  he  said  was  not  a  prtitext,  the  Hurons 
would  go  to  Montreal  to  await  them,  and  would  give 
hostages.' 

This  reply  seemed  to  appease  them.  They  were  feasted, 
and  returned  in  appaien^  s/'.tisfaetion.  xievertheless,  these 
frequent  altercations,  the  dissolution  of  a  nume;'oas  Chris- 
tian body  on  which  tho  most  legitimate  hopes  had  been 
based,  and  the  hostility  of  tho  Mohawks,  caused  great  uu- 


1656. 


Onoiulnpras 
arrive  at 
Quebec 
with  tho 

sniiiu  view. 


'  The  Ilurona  set  out  August  31,  '  Rulntion  do  la  Noiivc'Uc  France, 
and  Father  leMoyne  followed  on  tho  1057,  p.  2;i.  It  dois  not  rauntioa 
86th  J  Relation,  1058,  p.  9.  tho  governor's  action. 


282 


HISTORY  OF  NEW  FRjVNCE. 


1656.  easiness  both  in  the  governor-general  and  the  mission- 
aries. It  is  true  that  the  latter  had  matter  for  consolti- 
tion  in  the  numerous  conversions  daily  wiought  among 
the  very  tribes  which  had  shown  the  greatest  opposition 
to  the  gospel,  as  well  as  in  the  treasures  of  grace  and 
virtue  which  they  remarked  more  and  more  in  their  neo- 
phytes. The  memoirs  of  that  time  are  full  of  most  edify- 
ing traits  of  the  fervor  of  these  Indian  Christians,  which  I 
suppress  with  regret.  Thus  did  the  Almighty  keep  these 
evangeUcal  laborers  in  constant  alternations  of  fear  and 
hope,  quickening  in  them  the  two  virtues  most  necessary 
in  the  work  of  apostleship.  distrust  in  themselves  and 
confidence  in  Him  whose  ministers  they  were. 


fe 


I 


SKion- 
asola- 
,mong 
ysition 
e  and 
r  neo- 
edify- 
liiclil 
1  these 
ir  and 
essary 
s  and 


DISCOVERY  OF  CHAMPLAIN',S  TOMB. 


Thk  Rolatn.n  wl,icl.  details  the  circun-stancos  of  *J„.  ,,eatl,  of  Cl.amplain 

3,  p.    ,  ,„  „„t,c„,^  the  l.„,ial  of  Father  Ray„,l,a„lt,  states  that  he  was 
■..    n-od  near  the  hody  of  late  Mr.  de  Cha„,plain,  who  is  i„  a  priv  e 
van,    (sepulehre)  erected  expressly  to  honor  the  n.e.norv  of  that' 
g«  shod  personage,  to  whon>  Xew  France  is  under  sueh  oi,iK,-.tion  " 
A  register  states  that  tin's  was  i„  Cha.nplain's  cha,,el.     Mr  Ferland 

tT,  t  :'Z'f  7  V  f  "n'  ''"''  '''  ''  '"^  *"^  ^°^^--"'  ^•'••^1-''  «"ac  d 
to  the  Clmrch  of  Notre  Dan.e  de  Recouvrance,  at  or  near  the  site  of  the 
present  English  cathedral.  *''® 

The  Abbe  Laverdi^re,  while  editing  a  new  edition  of  Cha.nplain's  voy- 
jos,  was  anx,o„s  to  de.de  the  point.     He  was  soon  sati.sfie  1  ti.at  t  fs 

budt  n  1(,15      Investigation  and  the  light  of  docun.ents  proved  that  this 
was  .n  t  e  Anse  of  the  Cnl-de-Sac,  on  a   street  still  called  CI  a     , 
Stiee  ,  where  an  anc.ent  cemetery  exists.     Arrived  at  this  stage  M     I 
verd,ere  and  the  Abbe  Casgrain,  who  had  joined  in  his  resea'   e     w  " 
overwhehned  with  disappointn.ent  to  find  that  only  ten  yea  1      « 

m«t  "1  ^""  'r''  ^"^°"^"  ^"^  ^--'-  Am^HcatioJI^;^ 
the  f  '  n".  -^-t^-^'t-™^— who  directed  the  works,  bronghtont 
the  fact  that  he  had  come,  at  the  foot  of  the  stairs  called  Little  Chan.plain 
Street  npon  a  vanlt  containing  a  coftln  and  Innnan  remains  apparently  of 
some  .I,stn.gn..shed  person  ;  and  that  he  had  at  the  time  preserved  a  p^an 
of  the  locahty  and  sketches  of  two  of  the  bones.  Remains  of  tEr  o 
bod    s  we..e  fonnd  near.     The  body  in  the  vault  was  undoubtedly  Cham! 

B.otI  ex  J  ac.ficns  du  Pless.s,  and  of  Mr.  de  Re,  known  to  have  been  in- 
terred near  Champlain's  vault. 


284 


HISTORY  OF  NEW  FRANCE. 


Part  of  the  anrii>iit  vault  was  piTservotl  in  tlic  new  works,  and  tlip 
Alilies  Lav(;i(liere  and  (.'asyrain  dt'scciidiiig  into  it,  November  10,  18()(i, 
fiitiiid  it  about  oi^'lit  feet  square,  and  aliout  fourteen  feet  from  tiic  corner 
of  Sous-!e-Fort  Street.  The  body  had  lain  in  tlic  direction  of  Cliam])lain 
Street.  They  were  able  on  the  wall  still  to  trace  in  part  the  name  S.v.mvki. 
DE  Chami'L.\i\.  It  now  remained  to  find  the  bones.  These  had  at  the 
time  been  ])laccd  in  a  bo.x  and  conveyed  to  the  Parish  Church,  where  they 
were  kept  for  about  three  years,  and  thei"e  being  no  prospect  of  their 
identification,  the  box  was,  by  direction  of  the  Rev.  Edmund  Langevin, 
buried  near  the  cathedral,  with  injunctions  to  mark  the  spot.  This  was 
neglected,  but  hopes  are  still  entertained  of  its  recovery,  when  Quebec 
will  do  honor  to  the  remains  of  its  illustrious  founder. 

A  more  curious  and  persistent  search  has  seldom  been  made  than  this, 
so  honorable  to  the  Abbe  Lavcrd.^re.  (See  Decouverte  du  Tombeau  de 
Champlain,  par  MM.  les  Abbes  Laverdiere  et  Casgrain.  Quebec,  1866. 
8o,  19  pp.,  three  plans.) 


[-. 


DIRECTIONS  TO  THE  BINDER. 


Portrait  of  Champlain  (to  face  title). 

7 

FAC-SIMHiES  OF   SlONATlTlES 

lit 

Map  of  Lake  Champlatn 

100 
PORTHAIT   OF  iMK.   OLIER " 

Portrait  op  Father  Isaac  Joqueb 

Map  OF  MoNTHE.u. 

209 
FaC-SIMILES  OF  SrONATURES 

221 
Bust  of  Father  Brebeut 


